CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Navy women's rowing team went up against three of the best teams in the nation on Saturday on Lake Monticello. Matching up against No. 4 Virginia, No. 9 Michigan and R/V Clemson in two sessions of racing, the Mids saw first-hand the level of competition that could await them should they qualify down the line for May's NCAA Championship.

"This was not a typical Navy day for us, but we got to race some of the best teams in the country," said head coach Mike Hughes. "Virginia and Michigan are two teams that'll be battling in the top-six at the NCAA Championships. They're two experience teams. We were much closer to Clemson in our morning races. They're the next level of racers that we're aiming to catch. It was good to see where we stand with them and we can set our goals to get to that level."

"Add in that Ohio State was at the meet and it was really great that our women had the opportunity to see that level of rowing."

Each of the varsity, second varsity and novice eight boats, as well as the varsity and second varsity four boats got to compete in two races; one in the morning session at 9:00 a.m. and one in the afternoon at 2 p.m.

The varsity eight crew finished in third place in both of its races as it completed the morning competition behind Michigan (6:20.9) and Clemson (6:25.7) at 6:38.2. In the afternoon, the Mids slowed down a bit at 6:49.99. Michigan (6:22.36) held off Virginia (6:22.49) for the race victory.

"During the first 1000 meters of the afternoon varsity race we hung in there, but over the final 500 the elements slowed us down as we took on water," said Hughes. "It was a real struggle racing in those whitecaps especially in our lane."

Though challenging their highly-ranked opposition throughout the two sessions, the lone Navy boat to earn a runner-up result was the second varsity four crew in the morning session. Taking on Michigan and Clemson, Navy's 2V4 boat finished second to Michigan by 5.2 seconds at 7:23.7 to 7:28.9. The Mids knocked off the Tigers (7:41.6) by 12.7 seconds.

"The water was trying all day and filled with whitecaps," said Hughes. "That made for extremely difficult rowing."

"We learned a lot from all of the racing today and it will gave us something to shoot for."

Navy will be back in competition with two day of action at the George Washington Invitational. The racing kicks off on Friday, April 10.

Boating Lineups

V8+
C: Virginia Brodie, 8: Katie Quinn, 7: Kricket Masters, 6: Cessily Skinner, 5: Kelsey Hastings, 4: Brooke Mackno, 3: Heidi Zisselman, 2: Emily Hornberger, 1: Julia Arthur

2V8+
C: Tiffany Samia, 8: Isabelle Babb, 7: McKenna Niemer, 6: Alison Kennedy, 5: Adrienne Vallancey-Martinson, 4: Kathleen Heinbach, 3: Taylor Hart, 2: Rebecca Greenberg, 1: Molly Hanna

V4+
C: Lex Switzer, 4: Justice Constantine, 3: Maeve Broeg, 2: Maddie Vachris, 1: Kaylin Deppe

2V4+
C: Cindy Nestor, 4: Olivia Czerewko, 3: Taylor George, 2: Miranda Kosmides, 1: Aria Dang

N8+
C: Molly McAleer, 8: Suzy Toms, 7: Emily Cecchini, 6: Catherine McCarthy, 5: Anna Paz, 4: Abby Mesaros, 3: Maggie Pana, 2: Desiree Dantes-Tayco, 1: Brianna Kaufmann

Morning Results: Clemson, Michigan, Navy

Varsity 8

1. Michigan -- 6:20.9

2. Clemson -- 6:25.7

3. Navy -- 6:38.2

Varsity 4

1. Michigan -- 7:19.4

2. Clemson -- 7:30.5

3. Navy -- 7:32.9

Second Varsity 8

1. Michigan -- 6:34.4

2. Clemson -- 6:40.6

3. Navy -- 6:58.4

Third Varsity 8/Novice 8

1. Clemson -- 6:59.8

2. Michigan -- 7:00.7

3. Navy -- 7:25.3

Second Varsity 4

1. Michigan -- 7:23.7

2. Navy -- 7:28.9

3. Clemson -- 7:41.6

Afternoon Results: Michigan, Navy, Virginia

Third Varsity 8/Novice 8

1. Virginia -- 6:35.2

2. Michigan -- 7:07.4

3. Navy -- 7:24.0

Second Varsity 4

1. Virginia -- 7:27.0

2. Michigan -- 7:32.1

3. Navy -- 7:40.3

Varsity 4

1. Virginia -- 7:22.4

2. Michigan -- 7:30.6

3. Navy -- 7:49.2

Second Varsity 8

1. Virginia -- 6:28.7

2. Michigan -- 6:29.7

3. Navy -- 7:12.8

Varsity 8

1. Michigan -- 6:22.36

2. Virginia -- 6:22.49

3. Navy -- 6:49.99