April 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Navy women's crew team posted strong performances during the second and final day of the George Washington Invitational on Saturday on the Potomac River.

During the afternoon races, Navy defeated George Washington in all-four contested races. In the first varsity eight race, the Midshipmen crossed the finish line in 6:15.3, which was 15.2 seconds faster than the Colonials. Prior to that, Navy registered a 6.9-second victory in the second varsity eight event, 6:30.5-6:37.4.

Navy also won both of the four-oared races against the invitational hosts. The Mids posted a 15.4-second triumph in the first varsity four contest, 7:09.8-7:25.2, after they had delivered a 30.0-second win in the second varsity four race, 7:23.9-7:53.9.

The Midshipmen were paired against a strong Central Florida program in the morning and raced closely against the Golden Knights. In the first varsity eight race, Navy was edged by only 2.8 seconds, 6:15.7-6;18.5, prior to which it suffered less-than-a-second losses in the second varsity eight, 6:22.6-6:23.7, and first varsity four events, 6:59.5-6:59.9.

Navy's second varsity four-oared boat was able to post a commanding 15.0-second victory against Central Florida, 7:29.7-7:44.7.

"Today was a much better day for us," stated Navy head coach Mike Hughes. "We raced very well and the lineups are starting to click. We were able to beat George Washington pretty well and lost by narrow margins against a very good Central Florida team that advanced to the NCAA Championship a few years ago. We were able to step up and nearly beat them."

The Midshipmen (8-5) will return to action on Saturday, April 17, when they play host to Georgetown at 7 a.m. on the Severn River.

Navy at the George Washington Invitational - Saturday, April 10, 2010
- Morning Races -
First Varsity Eight - Central Florida 6:15.7, Navy 6:18.5
Second Varsity Eight - Central Florida 6:22.6, Navy 6:23.7
First Varsity Four - Central Florida 6:59.5, Navy 6:59.9
Second Varsity Four - Navy 7:29.7, Central Florida 7:44.7
Third Varsity Eight - Central Florida 6:49.3, Navy 7:03.7
Third Varsity Eight - Saint Joseph's 6:39.1, Columbia 6:47.1, Navy 7:06.9
- Afternoon Races -
First Varsity Eight - Navy 6:15.3, George Washington 6:30.5
Second Varsity Eight - Navy 6:30.5, George Washington 6:37.4
First Varsity Four - Navy 7:09.8, George Washington 7:25.2
Second Varsity Four - Navy 7:23.9, George Washington 7:53.9
Third Varsity Eight - Columbia 6:44.5, Navy 7:04.3