May 27, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A strong start helped propel the Navy lightweight varsity boat to a nine-second victory over Penn in the annual race for the Callow Cup between the two programs, Sunday morning on the Severn River in Annapolis. Navy crossed the finish line in a time of 5:47.57, while Penn completed the 2,000-meter course in a time of 5:56.81.

"Our start to the race was very good and allowed us to take the lead within the first 30 strokes of the race," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich, who improved his record in trophy races during his tenure at Navy to 13-3. "We followed the start by putting together as strong of a base pace over the remainder of the course as we have had over our recent races.

"Today was a great race to send us into the upcoming Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship."

The victory was Navy's seventh in a row over Penn, which matches the longest winning streak by either team in the series. Previously, the Mids won seven-straight races from 1956-62 and the Quakers posted seven consecutive wins from 1974-80.

Additionally, Navy now holds a 27-26 lead in the all-time Callow Cup series, which dates back to 1955. The last time Navy held the series advantage over Penn was in 1989.

Navy lightweight rowers also comprised a pair of boats in the annual dual between the Navy and Wisconsin heavyweight programs Sunday. The lights posted a nine-second victory in the varsity four without coxswain race and dropped a 22-second decision in the varsity pair without coxswain contest.

Navy's varsity eight crew will close its season Saturday at the IRA National Championship in Camden, N.J.

Navy Lightweight Results
Varsity Eight (Callow Cup)
Navy 5:47.57, Penn 5:56.81

Varsity 2/wo
Wisconsin (heavyweight) 6:51.56, Navy 7:13.07

Varsity 4/wo
Navy 6:20.59, Wisconsin (heavyweight) 6:29.55