Oct. 3, 2010

Link to Results

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In its first weekend of fall competition, the Navy men's lightweight rowing team competed in the Poughkeepsie Regatta in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Saturday and then at the Occoquan Challenge in Fairfax, Va., on Sunday.

"Wed had a great row on Saturday," said Navy head coach Steve Perry. "Today, at the Occoquan Challenge, we were even better."

At Saturday's Poughkeepsie Regatta, the Mids came up just short to Cornell in the four-mile race. Cornell finished with a time of 18:59.7 while Navy clocked a 19:17.4.

"It was a great row for our guys," said Perry. "We really gave it our best effort, but, unfortunately it wasn't enough."

The event, which is now in its second year, honors the original IRA National Championship, which was held in the same waters from 1895-1949.

"This event is fantastic for rowing and we certainly hope it continues," Perry said. "As long as the event is happening, we want to be a part of it. It's a wonderful tribute to collegiate rowing."

After coming up just short on Saturday, the Midshipmen came out strong on Sunday at the Occoquan Challenge as they took four of the top-five spots in the varsity eight and swept the first four places in the varsity four.

"We really showed our depth today," Perry said. "The thing I'm most happy about is the fact that all four of our varsity boats finished in the top five in the varsity eight. It was a goal we set and it was nice to achieve that."

It was Navy's seventh year competing in the meet and Sunday marked the Mids' sixth varsity-eight title at the event.

Navy's top boat in the varsity four turned in a 14:29.63, while its championship boat in the varsity eight won with a time of 13:18.2 - just over 25 seconds faster than second-place Virginia.

"The team was very motivated today," said Perry. "It was a really nice day for Navy crew and great way to wrap up our opening weekend."

The Midshipmen will be back in action next weekend at the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia on Saturday.