Oct. 1, 2006

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Navy lightweight crew team began its fall season by placing first in both the championship eight and championship four races at the Occoquan Challenge, Sunday on the Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax, Va. The victories marked the third-straight year in which the Mids swept the two titles at the event.

"We put together two sets of very good races today," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich. "We gained a lot of experience today and rowed very good tactical races. We're looking to use this success to build more speed as the fall progresses."

All races at the Occoquan Challenge were contested in head-style, or single-file format, with each boat leaving the starting line individually.

Navy posted a time of 13:55.7 to win the championship eight race by nine seconds over second-place Dartmouth (14:06.5). In addition to the victory, the Mids also placed third (14:07.0), fifth (14:23.15) and ninth (14:49.6) in the race. A total of 13 boats took part in the event.

Navy also posted a time of 15:30.4 to win the championship four race, with an additional Navy crew placing second (15:40.0). Navy boats also placed sixth (15:55.6), 11th (16:27.0) and 13th (16:43.1) among the field of 17 championship four entries.

"The competition level was raised today from past years with the addition of the Georgetown and Dartmouth boats," said Friedrich.

Navy will return to the water for competition Oct. 14 when the Mids take part in the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia.

Occoquan Challenge, Occoquan Reservoir, Fairfax, Va.
Championship Eight Race (13 boats)
1. Navy, 13:55.7
2. Dartmouth, 14:06.5
3. Navy, 14:07.0
4. Georgetown, 14:16.6
5. Navy, 14:23.1
9. Navy, 14:49.6

Championship Four Race (17 boats)
1. Navy, 15:30.4
2. Navy, 15.40.0
3. Georgetown, 15:42.4
4. Georgetown, 15:44.9
5. Dartmouth, 15:46.7
6. Navy, 15:55.6
11. Navy, 16:27.0
13. Navy, 16:43.1