WEST WINDSOR, N.J. -- The Navy heavyweight rowing program competed in five races on Saturday at the 2015 IRA National Championships and compiled two wins and three more results that will turn into petite finals on Sunday. The Mids' second varsity eight and varsity four crews each earned victories on the 2,000-meter Mercer Lake course, while the first varsity eight was edged in its push for a spot in the grand final.

"I am proud of the effort of the entire team today," exclaimed head coach Rob Friedrich. "The first varsity eight gave it their best shot in the semis, rowing in second half place at the halfway mark, but then finishing fourth overall. For having six walk-ons in that boat, I think they have done an exceptional job racing with the best crews in the country."

Navy's first varsity crew had a tough task against itself on Saturday as the Mids raced against California, Princeton, Brown, Boston U. and Penn in the second semifinal. After a strong start, Navy found itself hoping to keep pace down the stretch and sneak into a top-three spot and automatic advancement into the grand final. California won the heat at 5:30.524, while Princeton (5:32.706) and Brown (5:33.154) held off Navy. The Mids came in 3.548 second behind the Bears with a time of 5:36.702. They'll race in Sunday's petite final with the chance to finish seventh in the country. The petite action begins at 8:30 a.m.

The second varsity eight crew was one of two Midshipmen boats to win a semifinal as it took the victory in the third race on Saturday. Navy laid down a time of 5:51.407 to finish 3.896 seconds ahead of the rest of the field that included George Washington, Oregon State, Florida Tech and Holy Cross. The Mids will wrap up IRA action on Sunday with racing in the third final at 9:40 a.m.

Navy's varsity four crew duplicated the result of its teammates in the second varsity boat as it won semifinal number four with a 6:39.937 time. The Mids came in 1.128 second in front of its closest competitor, Penn at 6:41.065. Dartmouth, Milwaukee and George Washington rounded out the field. The varsity four crew will race in the third final at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Both Navy's third varsity and freshmen eight crew will race in petite finals on Sunday after their races on Saturday. The Mids in the third varsity boat came in sixth in semifinal two with a time of 5:59.648, while the freshmen eight boat finished third of three boats in repechage one with a 6:03.982 result. The two boats will compete in back-to-back races at 8:00 a.m. (F8) and 8:10 a.m. (3V8) on Sunday.

Results

Varsity 8

Semifinal 2

California -- 5:30.524

Princeton -- 5:32.706

Brown -- 5:33.154

Navy -- 5:36.702

Boston U. -- 5:39.964

Penn -- 5:42.834

Next Up ... Petite Final, Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

Second Varsity 8

Semifinal 3

Navy -- 5:51.407

George Washington -- 5:55.303

Oregon State -- 5:58.920

Florida Tech -- 6:04.717

Holy Cross -- 6:07.116

Next Up ... Third Final, Sunday, 9:40 a.m.

Third Varsity 8

Semifinal 2

California -- 5:44.717

Brown -- 5:48.127

Yale -- 5:50.569

Northeastern -- 5:53.558

Wisconsin -- 5:53.858

Navy -- 5:59.648

Next Up ... Petite Final, Sunday, 8:10 a.m.

Freshmen 8

Repechage 1

Cornell -- 5:56.385

Drexel -- 5:59.565

Navy -- 6:03.982

Next Up ... Petite Final, Sunday, 8:00 a.m.

Varsity 4

Semifinal 4

Navy -- 6:39.937

Penn -- 6:41.065

Dartmouth -- 6:42.041

Milwaukee -- 6:43.352

George Washington -- 6:46.944

Next Up ... Third Final, Sunday, 11:00 a.m.