March 25, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Navy women's crew team began its spring season with a victory in the varsity race and second-place finishes by its second varsity and novice eight boats at the Murphy Cup, Saturday on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
Navy's varsity entry posted the third-best time during the trial heats (6:53.79) to advance to the final, then recorded a clocking of 7:01.50 in the final to edge second-place St. Joseph's by 1.05 seconds and Bucknell by 3.28 seconds for the title.
"It was a very even race until about halfway through when we made a little move and took about a three-quarters of a boat length lead," said Navy head coach Mike Hughes. "We held that lead until 500 meters to go when both Bucknell and St. Joseph's made a run at us. We answered their sprint and held them off in the end."
The victory was the second for the Navy varsity at the Murphy Cup over the last three years.
In the second varsity race, Navy's time of 7:03.31 was the best clocking during the trial heats, but a time of 7:10.71 in the final placed the Mids second to Bucknell by less than one second (7:09.89).
"It was a good race by our second varsity boat," said Hughes. "We needed a little better sprint at the end."
Navy also placed second in the novice eight race, recording a time of 7:20.97 in the final to finish 10 seconds in back of Princeton. Navy's varsity four entry recorded a time of 7:59.32 during its final to finish third behind Villanova (7:47.11) and Bucknell (7:54.07).
"I felt both our freshmen and four boats did a good job today against very strong competition," said Hughes.
Navy will continue its season next weekend when the varsity boat competes in the San Diego Crew Classic and the remainder of the team takes part in the Playfair Cup in Boston.
Murphy Cup Results Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, Pa.
First Varsity 8 3rd out of 5 boats in trial heat (6:53.79); 1st out of 6 boats in final (7:01.50)
Second Varsity 8 1st out of 6 boats in trial heat (7:03.31); 2nd out of 6 boats in final (7:10.71)
Novice 8 Navy 'A' - 1st out of 4 boats in trial heat (7:16.08); 2nd out of 6 boats in final (7:20.97) Navy 'B' - 4th out of 5 boats in trial heat (7:59.51)
Varsity 4 Navy 'A' - 3rd out off 6 boats in trial heat (7:47.32); 3rd out of 6 boats in final (7:59.32) Navy 'B' - 4th out of 5 boats in trial heat (8:33.85)
