WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The Navy heavyweight crew program wrapped up its 2018 regular season with four races at Mercer Lake on Sunday. One of four teams at the neutral site competition, the No. 16 Mids raced versus No. 15 Columbia, No. 17 George Washington and R/V Hobart College in first, second, third and fourth varsity events. At the end of the day, Navy came away with a victory in the 4V and regained possession of the Stevenson Cup with a win over Columbia in the 1V.

The spotlight shown down on the first varsity eight race on Sunday and the spectators at Mercer Lake were treated to a hard-fought battle over the 2,000-meter course. Tight throughout, both the Colonials and Mids clocked in at 5:45.7 though a photo finish review gave a three-inch advantage to George Washington. The Stevenson Cup was on the line in that same race and went to the higher finisher amongst Navy and Columbia. The Lions finished 3.9 seconds behind the Mids at 5:49.6 so Navy took home the trophy to Annapolis for the 26th time in the series.

The second varsity race went to George Washington, who finished first with a time of 5:51.2. Navy placed third behind Columbia (5:54.0) with a respective 5:57.2 result.

A competitive third varsity event saw Columbia, George Washington and Navy all within a length of each other with 750 meters to go. Unfortunately for the Mids, the crew caught an over the head crab that stopped the boat and forced the team to restart its stroke from scratch. Navy turned in a final time of 6:18.9 to place third ahead of Hobart (6:33.0).

The Mids' depth flourished in the final race on Sunday, the fourth varsity eight. Navy's 4V and 5V went head-to-head over the length of the race and left Columbia's 4V off in the distance. The Mids' fourth varsity came in first at 6:01.4, while their fifth crew came in 3.3 seconds back at 6:04.7. Columbia placed third with a time of 6:42.6.

"Today was bittersweet," exclaimed head coach Rob Friedrich. "It was great to win the Stevenson Cup for the first time in three years over Columbia, but losing a close one to GW was tough. We have a new lineup in the first varsity and made some huge strides this week. I expect them to continue that and gain even more speed.

"Our 4V and 5V continue to impress and we have a lot of young guys in there doing great things. Our 2V and 3V were disappointing today. They have a lot more speed than they showed today and will have a lot to prove at the Sprints."

Sunday marked the final competition for the program before it starts postseason championship action on May 13 with the Eastern Sprints in Worcester, Mass.

Results

First Varsity 8
George Washington - 5:45.7*
Navy - 5:45.7 *
Hobart - 5:49.2
Columbia - 5:49.6

*-GW by 3 inches in photo finish

Second Varsity 8
George Washington - 5:51.2
Columbia - 5:54.0
Navy - 5:57.2
Hobart - 6:09.4

Third Varsity 8
Columbia - 6:02.9
George Washington - 6:03.4
Navy - 6:18.9
Hobart - 6:33.0

Fourth Varsity 8
Navy 4V - 6:01.4
Navy 5V - 6:04.7
Columbia - 6:42.6

Boat Lineups

First Varsity 8
Cox Eli Wood
Stroke Joseph Merkel
7 Jared Taintor
6 Michael Palaski
5 Andrew Knoll
4 Owen Firebaugh
3 Brandon Sagawinia
2 John Lamb
Bow Nathaniel Auzenbergs

Second Varsity 8
Cox Nick Street
Stroke Gage Butler
7 Zach Scholz
6 Jacob Klosowski
5 Caleb Robertson
4 Harrison Bleckley
3 Dwayne Williams
2 David Russell
Bow Martin Duffy

Third Varsity 8
Cox Kathryn Fung
Stroke Evan Camp
7 George Gilliam
6 Charlie Linder
5 Matthew Bute
4 Matthew Gregory
3 Aaron Hanko
2 Jack Gainer
Bow Parker Novakovic

Fourth Varsity 8
Cox Elise Odom
Stroke Cedric Bevis
7 Karl Troyer
6 Ben Dunphy
5 George Williams
4 Griffin Hamilton
3 Aaron Bullis
2 Jack Eichen
Bow Justin Desautels

Fifth Varsity 8
Cox Cheyenne Coughlin
Stroke Franklin Shew
7 Zerek Olson
6 Victor Sands
5 Daniel Anthony
4 John Heropoulos
3 Peter Faber
2 Eric Towe
Bow Michael Murphy