April 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Navy men's lightweight crew team posted four victories in five races - including the first varsity event - against Georgetown and Delaware on Saturday morning on the Potomac River.

"We had some great races across the board today," stated Navy head coach Nick Baker. "Our first varsity crew was able to follow the race plan from stroke one to the end. They executed our training and preparation against a team that defeated third-ranked Yale last week."

The first varsity race between Navy's fifth-ranked boat and Georgetown's fourth-ranked crew certainly lived up to the billing of a highly-competitive race. Racing in a light rain with a slight tailwind, the Midshipmen jumped out to an early lead that it would not relinquish over the entire race. The Mids fought off several challenges from the Hoyas, with the lead never growing beyond five seats during the entire race. Georgetown pulled within a half-seat with 400 meters to go, but Navy responded with a strong surge to extend its lead and finish first with a 5:45.7 clocking. Georgetown followed less than a second later with a time of 5:46.6 and Delaware placed third with a 6:04.6 performance.

Navy's second varsity crew preceded that race with a first-place finish. The Midshipmen crossed the finish line in 5:47.3, nearly four seconds ahead of second-place Georgetown's 5:51.2 clocking.

The Midshipmen raced both their third and fourth varsity boats in the first varsity race, placing first and second, respectively. Navy's second freshman crew also came away victorious on Saturday with a time of 6:09.4, more than nine seconds ahead of Georgetown's 6:18.5 showing.

Navy's only setback came in the first freshman event, where the Hoyas placed first with a 5:57.8 clocking and the Mids finished second with a time of 6:04.2.

The Midshipmen (3-2) will return to action next Saturday, April 18, when they head up to Boston, Mass., to take on Harvard. The winner of the first varsity race will be awarded the Haines Trophy.

Navy at Georgetown w/Delaware - April 11, 2009
1st Varsity - Navy 5:45.7, Georgetown 5:46.6, Delaware 6:04.6
2nd Varsity - Navy 5:47.3, Georgetown 5:51.2, Delaware 6:04.1
3rd Varsity - Navy 3V (no time available), Navy 4V +0:08.9, Georgetown +0:25.7
1st Freshman - Georgetown 5:57.8, Navy 6:04.2, Delaware 6:04.8
2nd Freshman - Navy 6:09.4, Georgetown 6:18.5, Delaware DNS