May 28, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A strong push to begin the second half of the course helped propel the Wisconsin heavyweight crew team to a victory over Navy in the varsity race between the two schools, Sunday morning on the Severn River. The victory by the Badgers ended a brief two-year winning streak by Navy in the annual race for possession of the Buck Walsh Trophy.

Navy held an early lead in the race, but the two boats were back to even by the 500-meter mark of the course. It remained a close, back-and-forth race until Wisconsin pulled ahead slightly at 1000 meters, then the Badgers quickly increased their advantage to one length over the next 400 meters. The Mids would slowly close the deficit over the remainder of the course until crossing the finish line one-half of a boat length after Wisconsin did.

The Badgers posted a winning time in the race of 5:50.52, with the Mids finishing the 2000-meter course in a time of 5:52.43. Wisconsin had defeated Navy by three seconds one week ago during the trial heats of the Eastern Sprints Championship.

"Commissioning Week is always a difficult week to train and improve, yet we were able to pick up some speed and knock a second off of our deficit from last week," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "In looking ahead to the IRA's this week, we're hoping to continue that improvement and gain speed every time we take to the water."

The Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship begins Thursday and runs through Saturday on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

Varsity
Wisconsin, 5:50.53; Navy, 5:52.43

Second Varsity
Wisconsin, 5:56.88; Navy, 6:04.60

Freshman
Wisconsin, 5:54.80; Navy, 6:07.80

Varsity Four w/Coxswain
Wisconsin, 6:40.64; Navy, 6:58.83

Varsity Four w/o Coxswain
Wisconsin, 6:19.20; Navy, 6:26.90

Freshman Four
Wisconsin, 6:34.60; Wisconsin, 6:39.58; Navy, 6:47.01

Pair
Wisconsin, 6:49.08; Navy, 6:50.37