June 3, 2006

CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Navy lightweight crew team concluded its season Saturday with a sixth-place showing by the varsity boat in the grand final of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship, which was held on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

"It was a disappointing end to a very successful season," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich. "We had a great row in the morning, but it was a rough final for us."

Navy's day began with the Mids finishing in a deadheat with Princeton for first place in morning's trial heat. Both boats crossed the finish line in identical times of 5:53.25. Navy, Princeton and third-place Yale all advanced to the grand final out of the heat. ' Then, in afternoon's grand final, Navy would complete the course in a time of 5:47.18 to finish nearly five seconds in back of first-place Cornell (5:42.71).

"We had a lot of young guys gain valuable experience this year, so we are already excited about our prospects for next season," said Friedrich.

Varsity Eight -- 6th overall
Trial Heat -- tie for 1st of 6 -- Navy, 5:53.25; Princeton, 5:53.25; Yale, 5:56.57; Dartmouth, 5:56.60; Georgetown, 6:05.13; St. Joseph's, 6:11.91
Grand Final -- 6th of 6 -- Cornell, 5:42.71; Harvard, 5:42.79; Princeton, 5:45.07; Columbia, 5:45.66; Yale, 5:46.29; Navy, 5:47.18