May 3, 2009
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Navy men's heavyweight crew team wrapped up its regular season by winning one of its three races against Columbia on Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J., during a rain-soaked Sunday. However, the Midshipmen came up on the short end of the first varsity race, which determines the winner of the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy.
In the final race of the day, Columbia's first varsity crew stormed out to a full boat-length lead one minute into the race. Navy was able to stem the growing deficit and maintained at a similar pace as the Lions for the rest of the race. The Midshipmen made a push towards the end, but could not overcome the sizeable deficit, as Columbia won by 7.7 seconds, 5:55.1-6:02.8.
"These were some tough rowing conditions today. The rain was bouncing off the water and the winds were changing during the day," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "Columbia blew off the line, but after that, it was about a half a boat-length race. Columbia is a good crew that is ranked eighth in the EARC and has defeated Yale and Princeton this spring. However, we certainly have some work to do in that early part of the race."
In the second varsity race, Columbia got off to a similar strong start, as it grabbed a half-boat-length lead a minute in. Navy was able to keep within striking distance of the Lions, but was edged by 3.6 seconds, 6:02.1-6:05.7. Navy's third varsity boat also participated in the race and completed the course in 6:25.6.
Navy's victory on Sunday came on the opening competition of the day - the freshmen race. The Midshipmen were able to pull away early and sustained that pace to record the largest margin of victory of the day - 17.9 seconds - by virtue of a 6:06.9-6:24.8 win. Navy's second freshmen crew also took part in the race and finished with a time of 6:36.5.
The Midshipmen (3-4-1) will return to action next Sunday, May 10, when they head up to the Eastern Sprints Championship at Worcester, Mass.
"We've got one week before the Eastern Sprints and I think we made some progress this week," stated Clothier. "I think we will be able to get some more speed next week and really work on closing some of that gap."
NAVY vs. COLUMBIA • Princeton, N.J. • May 3, 2009
First Varsity (Maxwell Stevenson Trophy) - Columbia 5:55.1, Navy 6:02.8
Second Varsity - Columbia 6:02.1, Navy (2V) 6:05.7, Navy (3V) 6:25.6
First Freshmen - Navy (1F) 6:06.9, Columbia 6:24.8, Navy (2F) 6:36.5
