Embry-Riddle Pilots Sweep Top Spots in Historic All-Female Air Race Classic

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus pilots Emmy Dillon and Abbie Pasmore were named winners not only in the collegiate division of this year's Air Race Classic (ARC) but also secured first place overall, besting 50 teams for the first time in the school's history participating in the cross-country, all-female air trek. 

Four teams consisting of female student pilots and flight instructors represented Embry-Riddle's residential campuses in the flight competition that kicked off June 21 at the university's Prescott, Ariz., campus and ended June 24 in Daytona Beach. Winners of the 2,716-mile race featuring more than 100 women were announced Sunday during an awards banquet in Daytona Beach.

Another first in the university's history included an independent team (Team Bernoulli) featuring two Daytona Beach Campus College of Engineering faculty Naiara Petralanda and Virginie Rollin who finished third overall in their first attempt at the race.

Embry-Riddle Prescott's team of Hannah Rooney and Rachel Hutzell finished in seventh place in collegiate competition and 16th overall, and the team of Shelby King and Hannah Burright were ninth in collegiate and 23rd overall.

Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach pilot Sarah Wendt and co-pilot Sojung An as the Riddle Racer Blue Team received numerous nods in the leg/stop competition and finished 16th in collegiate and 42nd overall after having to make a safety stop for maintenance issues.

"We're incredibly proud of our pilots," said Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, Interim President of Embry-Riddle, which was the start and terminus host sponsor of this year's race. "To be part of an event such as this that empowers and inspires women is an honor, and it exemplifies the core values of our university – that there are no limits to what you can achieve."

Media Contact: Melanie Hanns, Director of Media Relations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Office: (386) 226-7538; [email protected].

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SOURCE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University