George Washington University Athletics
Sailing Qualifies For ICSA Coed Nationals
5/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Sailing
The George Washington sailing team took fifth place at the MAISA Coed Championship for the America Trophy this weekend to secure a berth in coed nationals for the second time in program history.
Brendan Shanahan, Andreea Ranney-Pace, and Belle Strachan teamed up in A Division for the Colonials and secured a seventh place finish, while Kai Friesecke, Miranda Bakos, and Riley Legault took third place in B Division.
"'Survive and advance' was the theme this weekend, and the team did a great job executing under pressure at an extremely challenging venue and regatta," said head coach Billy Martin. "Kai, Miranda and Riley had a great event finishing third in their division, which was driving the team the entire weekend. Brendan, Andrea and Belle had a hard time finding a groove in the very competitive A division fleet, but ultimately put up a solid 7th in A division. The team hit some bumps this weekend, but proved that even when we're not firing on all cylinders, that we are always in the hunt."
Friesecke, Bakos, and Legault provided steady racing for the Colonials, finished in the top half of the field in 12 of 15 races, including two wins and five top threes. Shanahan, Ranney-Pace, and Strachan, meanwhile, were in the top five in four races and finished second in races 10 and 11.
At the conclusion of racing, the following GW Sailors were awarded with all conference honors:
- MAISA Sailor of the Year Finalist: Brendan Shanahan
- MAISA Sportsman of the Year: Brendan Shanahan
- 1st Team All MAISA: Brendan Shanahan
- All MAISA Crew: Andreea Ranney-Pace and Belle Strachan
- 2nd Team All MAISA Skipper: Kai Friesecke
The Colonials now set their sights on nationals, which will be held May 22 â€" June 2 in Charleston, South Carolina.
