Brock, Cal-Sacramento varsity heavyweight eight champs, Saint Joe’s points winner at Dad Vail

Brock, Cal-Sacramento take Dad Vail Regatta titles

PHILADELPHIA — Brock University became the first Canadian school to win the men’s varsity heavyweight eight, Cal-Sacramento took the women’s varsity eight, and Saint Joseph’s won the overall points trophy at the 72nd Dad Vail Regatta on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River.

Brock finished in 6 minutes, 28.35 seconds, and outdistanced Delaware and Florida Tech. The Ontario school entered the regatta as the 12th-seeded boat.

Cal Sacramento won the women’s race in 7:02.52, ahead of locals Saint Joseph’s and Drexel.

Saint Joseph’s earned a medal in all seven finals races in which it qualified, finishing with a gold, two silvers and four bronze.

Months ago, organizers had threatened to move the regatta to northern New Jersey. But a new sponsor, Aberdeen Assets Management Inc., was found and officials say the event will stay in Philadelphia at least through 2014.

The Dad Vail features more than 3,000 rowers from 120 schools in the United States and Canada