March 27, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy men's lightweight crew team won two races but was topped by Princeton in the Murtaugh Cup race on Saturday morning on a chilly Severn River.

In the first varsity race, Princeton completed the 2,000-meter course in 5:58.7 to claim the hardware for a second-straight year, while Navy finished 6.7 seconds behind with a 6:05.4 clocking. The Murtaugh Cup is presented to the winner of the annual first varsity race between Navy and Princeton.

Princeton proceeded to nip Navy in the next event, the second varsity race, by less than one second, 6:10.0-6:10.8. The Tigers led for much of the race, but the Midshipmen remained within striking distance throughout, as the lead was never more than three to four seats.

However, Navy came back strong to win the final-three races of the morning. In the first freshmen event, the Midshipmen crossed the finish line 6.4 seconds ahead of the Tigers with a 6:19.1 clocking. In the next contest, the combined third and fourth varsity, Navy's third varsity posted a time of 6:24.7 to finish ahead of Princeton's third varsity crew by 2.1 second.

The Midshipmen will return to action next Saturday, April 3, when they compete for the Eads Johnson Trophy against Yale in Princeton, N.J. The action is slated to start at 1 p.m.

NAVY vs. PRINCETON - Saturday, March 27, 2010
1st Varsity (Murtaugh Cup) - Princeton 5:58.7, Navy 6:05.4
2nd Varsity - Princeton 6:10.0, Navy 6:10.8
3rd/4th Varsity - Navy 3V 6:24.7, Princeton 3V 6:26.8, Navy 4V 6:36.9
1st Freshmen - Navy 6:19.1, Princeton 6:25.5