Erie, Pa. - After seeing some time off, the Lakers prepare for one of their bigger events of the season in the Dad Vials. Mercyhurst makes the trip to Cherry Hill, N.J. to compete across two days, hoping to further solidify their spot at the top and make a run at the national championships.

A Look Back

It has been some time since Mercyhurst has gotten out on the water as their last event was the SIRAs in Oakridge, Tn on April 20th and 21st. After seeing the MACRAs canceled due to weather, the Lakers look to be well rested and prepared for their biggest race yet. In their last event, Mercyhurst put together one of their stronger showing of the year in the SIRAs as three teams ended up with a podium finish while one ended up taking home gold as Anthony DePinto and Cole Bardeshewski claimed first in men's twos. With the team able to continually build upon each performance they look for their strongest outing yet in the Dad Vails.

History Lesson

The Lakers are no strangers to competing in the Dad Vails, bring home gold countless times and now look to do so once again, In last year's iteration of the race women's fours came away with a couple of big wins, helping them claim gold thanks to a time of 7:37.194 in the Grand Finale while the Lakers claimed two other podium finishes. The men's fours competed in the Petite Final against Oklahoma City, coming in right behind for second while men's lightweight eights came in second behind MIT for the Thomas W. Loschaivo Trophy.

Staying Strong

Mercyhurst has been a constant in the POCOCK CRCA Division II poll this season and this week was no different. The team was ranked sixth for a second-straight week announced the organization on Wednesday, May 8th. The Lakers have found themselves within the top five at various times this season and was able to get as high as fourth after their work in the SIRAs and look to do so once again to close out the season.

What's Next

The team hopes to hear their names called for the NCAA Division II Championships once again this year. The selection show is set to be held on Tuesday, May 21st, with the championships starting on the 31st with a new champion being crowned on June 2nd in Bethel, Oh.