The School of Dentistry has long been synonymous with victory at the annual campus regatta. Ever since the Kavity Killas (Matt Rowe, Steve Powell, Austin Starr, Matt Rasche) took second place in the then single-category IUPUI Regatta in 2010, the dental school has placed a team on the winner’s podium every regatta. Last year, our teams set a new high-water mark when they took first place in each of the race’s main team categories (men’s, women’s and co-ed).
It was fitting then that IUSD turned in another historic performance to accompany the first regatta held under the IU Indianapolis banner. This year, the teams battled each other and the elements, as wind and rain braced the competitors at the event’s launch. However, IUSD teams were not thwarted by the conditions, and the cool skies and high water translated to fast times, with dental school teams sweeping the podium in the women’s and co-ed categories, placing first, second, and third in each! Another IUSD team rounded out the men’s podium with a solid bronze.
Among this year’s champions were three-time repeat co-ed division champions, Floss Force One (Bella Case, Wesley Slaughter, Sam Helm, Shahil Patel, and Madison Callaway). After narrowly missing gold on their first outing in 2021 as D1s to another dental school team, Whitening Lightening (Hannah Freyman, Tyler Watts, Jake Brush, and Misty Bennett), Floss Force One has dominated the field three years running. This year, Floss Force One turned in the fastest time across all categories, completing the course in 5:57.00.
“Regatta has made a huge impact on our dental school journey since the first year we raced in 2021,” said D4 Bella Case. “We lost by a painful tenth of a second to D4s that had a history of being great regatta competitors. That initial loss really made us hungry for redemption and to set records for the IUSD regatta history books!"
Case added, “It is hard to say which win was the most rewarding — the initial in 2022 or this year’s in 2024, but I think it’s because each race holds its only special memory and challenge. We had to fight to even get to the finals in 2022 due to timing errors. This year we had some inclement weather and stressful traffic and were afraid we would miss our check-in time! All in all, the memories we have made through racing for IUSD at regatta and being three-peat champions will forever hold a place in our hearts. The teamwork involved to improve and capture the win has forged lasting friendships that will continue beyond the glory of the wins!”
"I thought it was just another event. But after the moment I saw the race and how our school upholds its core tradition and value dearly to this, it struck me that I need to be in this." said teammate Shahil Patel, D4. "As a recruit to Floss Force One, it’s the high-stakes energy everyone brings to the team that keeps the fire going. It’s the seriousness of the team no matter what challenges we come upon, whether it is rain, technical difficulties, or just facing competitive athletes, we all know the teamwork must be 110% in order win!"
The full lineup of this year’s champion dental school teams:
Co-Ed Division
1.Floss Force One
Bella Case
Wesley Slaughter
Sam Helm
Shahil Patel
Madison Callaway
2.Molar Mariners
Jeanne Sering
Madeline Brinkman
Kirby Robertson
Sam Carson
Joseph Painter
3. OMFS Express
AmyLynn Byrd
Amanda Marcucci
Shaun Matthews
Nik Wasylyk
Josh Golden
4.The Molar Marauders
Mohamad Okab
Sean Chasney
Erin Pasch
Danilo Almeida
Women’s Division
1.MACrodontia
Makenzie Myers
Samantha McArdle
Abbie McCarter
Kayla Kirtley
2.Here We Row Again 2024
Jennifer McKee
Alicia Wade
Kathleen Jones
Amelia Swain
Sarah Hoskins
Sreshta Reddy Nomula
3.Cavity Cowgirls
Abilene Drake
Marika Herron
Haven McCoy
Grace Zering
Men’s Division
3. Grillz to the Gills
William Wilson
Jackson Hiester
Ryan Bell
Ben Pliske
Zachary Pruitt
Arsh Maredia
Join us in the spring when this year’s champions place their canoe plaques on the Armada of Champions wall near the IUSD cantina during our annual inauguration ceremony!
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