LEONIA, N.J. - The Navy lightweight rowing program had a strong day of racing on Saturday versus Columbia at Overpeck Park in Northern New Jersey. Taking on the top-ranked Lions on their home waters, the eighth-ranked Mids won two of the day's three races. Columbia held onto the WIT Cup in first varsity action, though Navy challenged throughout and made it the closest contest since 2011.

"The resiliency of our squad was on display today after a challenging couple of weeks in practices and on the race course," remarked head coach Shawn Bagnall. "The first varsity proved to be willing to meet the challenge of racing the top-ranked Varsity 8+ in the country, and our second varsity battled to finish the day well. Coach Sands' group (4V8) especially showed their character in the best race of the day, fighting off a slow start to win in the final 250 meters."

The day of racing on Overpeck Creek began with the hotly-contested first varsity competition. The Lions held off a game Midshipmen squad with a 3.9-second victory at 6:09.4 to 6:13.3.

Navy defeated Columbia in each of the next two races as the Mids clocked in with a time of 6:23.4 in the second varsity event versus a 6:28.1 for the Lions. As a guest team, Princeton's fourth varsity heavyweight crew raced alongside and turned in the top time at 6:19.1.

In the third varsity eight race, Navy's fourth varsity knocked off both program's third boats with a time of 6:28.4, 1.8 seconds ahead of Columbia (6:30.2). The Mids' third crew completed the 2,000-meter course at 6:33.2.

"The team took a strong step forward today and we look to work hard to keep that week-to-week improvement," said Bagnall.

Navy will be back in action next Saturday at home versus Georgetown. The racing between the Mids and Hoyas is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on the Severn River.

Results

First Varsity 8 (WIT Cup)
Columbia - 6:09.4
Navy - 6:13.3

Second Varsity 8
Princeton 4V HWT - 6:19.1
Navy - 6:23.4
Columbia - 6:28.1

Third Varsity 8
Navy 4V - 6:28.4
Columbia - 6:30.2
Navy 3V - 6:33.2

Boat Lineups

First Varsity 8
Bow: Matthew Walsh, 2: Andrew Schutta, 3: Stephen Walsh, 4: Sam Haber, 5: Austin Treubert, 6: Hank Forsythe, 7: Matthew Shirey, Stroke: Kevin Leyland, Cox: Madison Beiler

Second Varsity 8
Bow: Thomas Coffin, 2: Sean Williamson, 3: Ben Skinner, 4: Patrick Leech, 5: Nick Skeen, 6: Brant McGuigan, 7: Anlon McGuigan Stroke: Will Herbert, Cox: Grace Albertson

Third Varsity 8
Bow: Mitch Bond, 2: Chris Kuczynski, 3: Morgan Whetstone, 4: Andrew Karas, 5: Drew Bennett, 6: Ben Blakeslee, 7: Matt Pentaleri, Stroke: John Minnehan, Cox: Noreen Domingo

Fourth Varsity 8
Bow: Pat Watler, 2: Phil Villani, 3: Alex Wieman, 4: Bo Colasacco, 5: Gracen Glaubitz, 6: Joe Yates, 7: Leor Golan, Stroke: Clay Jackson, Cox: Cullen Harper