April 19, 2014

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The No. 8 Navy lightweight rowing team participated in a competitive morning of rowing versus the No. 4 Harvard Crimson, but came up slightly over three seconds shy of obtaining the Haines Trophy in the varsity eight race. The Midshipmen were victorious in the second freshmen race in the five-event slate on Saturday on the Severn River.

"Across the board I thought it was a well-fought day on the Severn," said Navy head coach Shawn Bagnall. "When you can be within striking distance of the defending national champions, it is solid motivation for the push into Eastern Sprints. The guys aren't into moral victories, but they understand there were very tangible steps forward in their racing today. We will get back to work Monday."

In the day's first competition, the varsity eight, Navy cut over seven seconds off of Harvard's 10.5-second 2013 margin of victory with a tight 6:05.3 to 6:08.0 setback on Saturday.

The Mids battled stroke-for-stroke with the fourth-ranked Crimson in the 2V8 race before Harvard pulled out a 4.4-second victory, 6:02.7 to 6:07.1.

Navy fell in both the 3V8 (6:15.7-6:23.5) and the Freshmen 8 (6:10.0-6:23.2) before capturing a win in second freshmen competition by a 6.7-second margin of victory, 6:26.6 to 6:33.3.

The lightweight program will be back in action next Saturday in Philadelphia with a head-to-head matchup versus Penn in its final regular season meet.

Results

Varsity 8

1. Harvard - 6:05.3
2. Navy - 6:08.0

2^nd Varsity 8

1. Harvard - 6:02.7
2. Navy - 6:07.1

3^rd Varsity 8

1. Harvard - 6:15.7
2. Navy - 6:24.5

Freshmen 8

1. Harvard - 6:10.0
2. Navy - 6:23.2

2^nd Freshmen 8

1. Navy - 6:26.6
2. Harvard - 6:33.3