WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The Navy heavyweight rowing program wrapped up its regular season on Sunday with action at a four-team competition at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J. The No. 14 Mids raced in four varsity eight events, as well as a varsity four contest. No. 15 George Washington, No. 17 Columbia and R/V Hobart joined Navy on the 2,000-meter stretch of water. At the completion of the day, the Mids were successful in the three lower boat races with victories in the third and fifth varsity eight events, as well as in the fourth varsity four.

The third varsity eight race kicked off the action on Sunday and saw the Mids finish in first place amongst the four-boat field with a time of 6:35.4. Navy timed in 5.8 seconds ahead of George Washington (6:41.2) and 19.2 clear of Columbia (6:54.6). Hobart finished fourth at 7:00.7.

The four-man crews took center stage next at Mercer Lake. Navy's freshman-heavy lineup won the event with a time of 7:10.6 that edged Navy's veteran boat by 0.6 seconds at 7:11.2. Columbia finished off the pace at 7:29.0.

Second varsity eight action followed the V4s. The most competitive event on the day, the four boats finished the 2,000 meters within 6.5 seconds from first to fourth. George Washington came in first at 6:28.3, while Columbia and Navy went back-to-back with times of 6:30.0 and 6:32.7, respectively. Hobart was fourth with a 6:34.8 result.

The headlining first varsity eight race was fourth on the docket on Sunday. A close contest between Columbia, Navy and George Washington saw the Lions take the victory and subsequently the Stevenson Cup over the Mids by a 2.9-second margin at 6:17.4 to 6:20.3. The Colonials were 1.3 seconds behind at 6:21.6. Hobart (6:32.5) finished in fourth place.

A head-to-head bout between Navy's undefeated fifth varsity crew and George Washington's fourth varsity closed the five-race slate. The Mids continued their winning streak with a significant 6:46.4 to 7:05.8 victory over the Colonials.

"We had some mixed results this afternoon," remarked head coach Rob Friedrich. "Our depth is still going strong, winning the 3V, 5V and fours events, but our top two boats stumbled a bit today. We had a big lead in the 2V race, but couldn't finish strong in the head wind conditions. The 1V had a solid race against George Washington and Hobart, but couldn't hold onto a tough Columbia crew in the third 500.

"The youth of our team is our biggest strength, but our inexperience shows at times. They are learning fast and I know our guys will be ready for our championship races."

The Mids will now turn their attention to postseason action. The first of two championship events will be the Eastern Sprints in Worcester, Mass. on Sunday, May 14.

Results

First Varsity 8
Columbia - 6:17.4
Navy - 6:20.3
George Washington - 6:21.6
Hobart - 6:32.5

Second Varsity 8
George Washington - 6:28.3
Columbia - 6:30.0
Navy - 6:32.7
Hobart - 6:34.8

Third Varsity 8
Navy - 6:35.4
George Washington - 6:41.2
Columbia - 6:54.6
Hobart - 7:00.7

Fourth Varsity 4+
Navy "2020" - 7:10.6
Navy "2018-19" - 7:11.2
Columbia - 7:29.0

Fifth Varsity 8
Navy 5V - 6:46.4
George Washington 4V - 7:05.8

Boat Lineups

First Varsity 8
Cox: Nick Street, Stroke: Scott Gibson, 7: Kevin Leyland, 6: Alec Gould, 5: Brandon Sagawinia, 4: John Lamb, 3: Andrew Knoll, 2: Gage Butler, Bow: Sawyer Rogers

Second Varsity 8
Cox: Julia Foust, Stroke: Michael Pentaleri, 7: Zach Scholz, 6: Jack Gainer, 5: Jared Taintor, 4: Thor Gignac, 3: Jonathan Wabeke, 2: Charlie Linder, Bow: Nathaniel Auzenbergs

Third Varsity 8
Cox: Eli Wood, Stroke: Joseph Merkel, 7: George Gilliam, 6: Michael Palaski, 5: Ryan Adair 4: Terry Renfro-Pihut, 3: Klaus Payne, 2: Owen Shenk, Bow: Caleb Robertson

Fourth Varsity 4 "2018-19"
Cox: Elise Odom, Stroke: David Russell, 3: Michael Murphy, 2: Ben Dunphy. Bow: Parker Novakovic

Fourth Varsity 4 "2020"
Cox: Kathryn Fung, Stroke: Jacob Klosowski, 3: Aaron Bullis, 2: Matthew Gregory, Bow: Matthew Bute

Fifth Varsity 8
Cox: Brian Beck, Stroke: Channing Martin, 7: Aaron Hanko, 6: Evan Camp, 5: Noah Stewart, 4: Owen Firebaugh, 3: Samuel Sasser, 2: John Heropolous, Bow: Dwayne Williams