April 29, 2006

MERCER COUNTY, N.J. - After falling behind at the very start of the race, the Navy heavyweight crew team's varsity boat quickly took the lead and maintained it over the remainder of the course to post a 2.5-second victory over Columbia, Saturday afternoon on Mercer Lake in Mercer County, N.J. The victory in the varsity race allows Navy to retain the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy for the fifth-straight year.

Columbia took the lead right at the beginning of the race, but Navy responded immediately and took nearly a one-third of a boat length lead at the 500-meter mark of the course. A strong push by the Mids gave Navy close to a boat length lead at 1000 meters, then Navy was able to increase its lead to open water with 500 meters remaining.

The Lions made a late push and cut the margin down to one-quarter of a boat length, but that would be as close as Columbia would get to the Navy entry. The Mids completed the course in a victorious time of 6:21.83, with the Lions finishing with a time of 6:24.26.

"It was a good, solid race for us," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "I give Columbia a lot of credit for how they rowed at the end of the course. It was a very courageous race by them."

Navy also won the remaining two races on the day, winning the second varsity race by 18 seconds and the freshman race by just under four seconds.

The Mids will next be in action May 12 when Navy plays host to Princeton on the Severn River.

"Princeton is a very hot boat right now," said Clothier. "We have some time to work on a few things before we face them and before we head to the Eastern Sprints."

Heavyweights
Varsity (Maxwell Stevenson Trophy Race)
Navy, 6:21.83; Columbia, 6:24.26

2nd Varsity
Navy, 6:31.06; Navy (3V), 6:39.97; Columbia, 6:49.43

1st Freshman
Navy, 6:37.75; Columbia, 6:41.36; Navy (2F), 6:56.88