April 29, 2007

WORCESTER, Mass. - Bucknell swept each of the three races to win the overall team title at the Patriot League Women's Rowing Championship, Sunday morning on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. Navy placed second in each of the three contests to place second in the overall team standings.

"It was a tough, disappointing day," said Navy head coach Mike Hughes. "Both Bucknell and us have had very good racing seasons to date, so we expected close races today with one of us winning each of the races and the team title."

Despite placing second to Bucknell in both the varsity four and second varsity eight races, by five and six seconds, respectively, a Navy victory in the first varsity race would have still given the Mids the team championship based upon the points system used at the regatta.

The varsity race was close over most of the course, with Bucknell pulling away late to record a five-second victory to win the race and clinch the overall team title.

"Bucknell had a better closing sprint than we did today," said Hughes of the varsity race. "It was a tight race until the end.

"We're not happy with the results, but we will use what we learned today to make us faster for the Eastern Sprints in a few weeks and for next season."

Two of Navy's three varsity boat losses this season have been to Bucknell.

Navy will race Washington College May 6 in Annapolis before closing the season May 13 at the Eastern Sprints Championship.

Team Scores
1. Bucknell, 30; 2. Navy, 24; 3. Colgate, 16; T4. Holy Cross, 10; T4. Lehigh, 10

Varsity Four Results (Pts.)
1. Bucknell, 7:32.10 (5); 2. Navy, 7:37.66 (4); 3. Colgate, 7:40.71 (3); 4. Lehigh, 8:01.67 (2); 5. Holy Cross, 8:17.41 (1)

Second Varsity Eight (Pts.)
1. Bucknell, 6:42.83 (10); 2. Navy, 6:48.39 (8); 3. Holy Cross, 7:04.04 (6); 4. Colgate, 7:12.39 (4); 5. Lehigh, 7:14.48 (2)

Varsity Eight (Pts.)
1. Bucknell, 6:34.47 (15); 2. Navy, 6:39.53 (12); 3. Colgate, 6:48.94 (9); 4. Lehigh, 6:56.17 (6); 5. Holy Cross, 7:05.88 (3)