NEISA Announces Teams and Major Award Winners

The New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association (NEISA) announced its All-NEISA teams and major award winners this week, recognizing eight Big Green sailors.

Dartmouth had eight sailors named to All-NEISA teams, one of which also earned a major award. The Big Green had five honorees at the conclusion of the 2024 spring season.

The highlight of the recognitions is first-year Chase Decker being name the NEISA Open Rookie of the Year. In his first race of the year, Decker helped the Big Green to a first-place finish at the Harvard Invite, posting only 23 points in the B Division. His best race of the Spring season was a second-place finish at the Thompson Trophy.

In addition to earning the rookie of the year honor, Decker was also named an All-NEISA Second Team Open Skipper alongside teammate Will Michels. Michels helped the Big Green to a second-place finish at the Captain Hurst Trophy hosted by Dartmouth in October, placing third overall in the A Division. He also competed at the Aaron Szambecki Team Race, the Marchiando Trophy, the Liam O'Keefe Trophy, and the Thompson Trophy.

Sarah Young followed up her All-NEISA Second Team Women's Skippers honoree as a junior by being named to the first team as a junior. In addition to competing in the Singlehanded National Championship and finishing fifth, Young has helped the Big Green to team success, including third place at the Legler Trophy - Women's Team Race New England Conference Championship. Her best finish of the season was second place at the Yale Women's Race in October.

Bella Casaretto earned her second straight All-NEISA Second Team Women's Skipper recognition. She also competed in the third-place finish at the Legler Trophy as well as a third-place finish at the Georgetown Women's Team Race.

On the All-NEISA First Team Open Crew list was Reese Bragg. Bragg has been a staple in the Big Green lineup, competing at the Thompson Trophy, Marchiando Trophy and Fowle Trophy just to name a few. At the Fowle Trophy, she helped the Big Green to fifth place at the Open Team Race New England Conference Championship.

Phoebe Lee earned recognition for the second straight season, this time taking home All-NEISA Second Team Open Crew. Eight of Lee's races were all top five finishes, including first place to start the year at the Harvard Invitational and second at the Thompson Trophy, her last regular season spring regatta.

On the All-NEISA First Team Women's Crew team is Lilly Baker. Baker sailed in ten races for the Big Green, collecting one first place finish, two second place finishes, two third place finishes, a fourth-place finish, and three fifth place finishes. Only two of Baker's races this season have been outside the top 10.

The final Big Green sailor to earn NEISA recognition is Faye Benjamin, being named to the All-NEISA Second Team Women's Crew. Benjamin also started the year with a first-place finish at the Harvard Invitational. 11 of her races have been top 10 finishes while seven of those are top five.

The Big Green are in action this weekend, competing at the Open Team Race Nationals Thursday through Saturday before shifting gears to the Women's Team Race Nationals on Sunday and Monday.

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