April 1, 2012
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy heavyweight rowing team concluded competition at both the San Diego Crew Classic and the Occoquan Sprints on Sunday in strong fashion. The Mids varsity eight took third in the grand final at the San Diego Crew Classic, while across the country the Mids' second and third varsity eight crews and freshman eight all took first place in their finals races at the Occoquan Sprints.
After taking second place in its heat race on Saturday, the varsity eight placed third in the grand final on Sunday, competing against some of the top crews in the country on Mission Bay in San Diego. Harvard led the six-boat field with a time of 6:17.9, while Cal took second with a 6:20.6. The Mids posted a time of 6:24.1 to take third, just beating out Stanford, which crossed the finish line in 6:25.9.
"I was very proud of our guys this weekend, we did a great job of executing our plan," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "We've still got a ways to go, but to race against some of the top crews in the country this early in the season has really energized us."
Meanwhile, the second and third varsity crews both won their finals races at the Occoquan Sprints in Virginia. Competing in the first varsity race, Navy's second varsity boat won its heat race by two seconds over Virginia to move into the final. In the final, the Mids again held off the Cavaliers, as Navy just edged Virginia, 5:53.2-5:55.2.
Navy's third and fourth varsity crews claimed the top two spots in the second varsity final. The Mids' third varsity registered a time of 5:58.5 and the fourth varsity clocked a 6:03.1.
Both of Navy's freshman eight crews also had good outings on Sunday. Both boats won their heat races by nearly 17 seconds and finished one-two in the final with times of 6:01.9 and 6:11.
Navy also had a trio of varsity four crews competing on Sunday. Though there were no finals races, all three won their heat races with the top boat posting a time of 6:46.4.
The Mids will compete in the George Washington Invitational next Friday and Saturday in Washington, D.C.
Varsity Eight - San Diego Crew Classic
Harvard - 6:17.9
Cal - 6:20.6
Navy - 6:24.1
Stanford - 6:25.9
Cornell - 6:33.53
Michigan - 6:46.9
Second Varsity Eight - Occoquan Sprints (First Varsity Race)
Navy - 5:53.2
Virginia - 5:55.2
LaSalle - 6:08.2
North Carolina - 6:09.2
George Mason - 6:16.8
Washington College - 6:25.3
Third Varsity Eight - Occoquan Sprints (Second Varsity Race)
Navy (3V) - 5:58.5
Navy (4V) - 6:03.1
Virginia - 6:04.9
North Carolina -6:31.2
George Mason - 6:46.2
Freshman Eight - Occoquan Sprints
Navy - 6:01.9
Navy - 6:11.0
Virginia - 6:14.5
North Carolina - 6:38.3
LaSalle - 6:50.5
Loyola - 7:15.9
