PENNSAUKEN, N.J. – The Union College women's crew team placed second in the Grand Final of the DII/DIII Varsity 4+ race at the 2026 Dad Vail Regatta Saturday morning, held on the Cooper River. 

Sophomore Lizzie Vandam served as the coxswain, guiding, junior Amy Gagliardi (stroke), junior Emma Friedman (3 seat), senior Sadie White (2 seat), and junior Olivia Werkema (bow) in three races over the last two days. 

The Garnet Chargers had a strong showing on Friday, beginning with a time trial at 11 a.m. Union had the fastest time out of the 10 entries with a 7:39.765 in the time trial. The Garnet Chargers finished 4.172 seconds clear of the second-fastest crew in the time trial, Gordon College. Union also overtook RIT while out on the 2,000-meter course despite the Tigers taking off before Union during the staggered starts of the time-trial race. 

The Garnet Chargers' performance in the time trials earned them a spot in the third lane of the first semifinal, racing against RIT, Tampa, Simmons, and two boats from Case Western Reserve. 

The wind picked up for the semifinals of the DII/DIII race, but Union battled through the elements to claim victory over Case Western by nearly five seconds and earn the top spot in the Grand Final on Saturday. Union crossed the finish line with a time of 8:09.390, giving the Garnet Chargers the priority in Lane 3 for the Grand Final. 

On Saturday, Gordon College was able to close the four-second gap from the time trials and won the Grand Final with a time of 7:45.850, crossing the finish line 7.020 second ahead of Vandam's crew. However, Union completed the race 3.26 second ahead of Tampa in a close finish to earn a silver medal.