PRINCETON, N.J. – The Navy lightweight crew team opened its spring 2019 campaign on Saturday with a quartet of races on Princeton's home course, Lake Carnegie. Going head-to-head with the nation's number three team, the fifth-ranked Mids also had to deal with difficult wind and water conditions on the 2,000-meter course. The day began with Navy winning the third and fourth varsity contests before Princeton closed with victories in the first and second varsity races. With the win in the first varsity eight race, the host Tigers retained possession of the Murtaugh Cup.
 
"The squad as a whole fought well today and generally maintained composure in some challenging conditions," remarked head coach Shawn Bagnall. "Princeton is always a strong test to kick off the season with, but it's good to go side-by-side with one of the top overall teams in our league. Clearly there are strides to be made in our top boats. We're looking forward to sorting out our lineups as the season continues."
 
Racing in reverse order, Navy's fourth and fifth varsity eights took to the water first on Saturday in the fourth varsity eight competition. The Midshipmen duo were the class of the three-boat event as the 4V8 clocked in at 6:35.9, while the 5V8 crew was 5.4 seconds back at 6:41.3. The Tigers' 4V8 boat was well off the pace at 6:58.0
 
Next up in the third varsity eight race, Navy used a strong second-half surge to overcome a fast-starting Princeton squad. Not only did the Mids overtake the Tigers by the 1,500-meter mark they started pulling away. Navy crossed the finish line at 6:40.8, 5.4 seconds ahead of Princeton's 3V8, who finished at 6:46.2.
 
In the final two races, the first and second varsity eight events, Princeton jumped out early and withstood pushes by Navy over the middle third of each contest. The tight second varsity eight race saw the Tigers hold on for a 6:37.8-6:41.8 win. With the Murtaugh Cup on the line for the victor of the first varsity eight race, Princeton earned a 7.70-second victory with a 6:30.7 effort. Navy completed the 2,000 meters with a time of 6:38.4.
 
Early season action will continue for the Mids next Saturday versus Yale with the Johnson Cup up for grabs. The neutral site competition is set for this same Lake Carnegie course.
  
Race Results
 
First Varsity Eight
Princeton – 6:30.7
Navy – 6:38.4
 
Second Varsity Eight
Princeton – 6:37.8
Navy – 6:41.8
 
Third Varsity Eight
Navy – 6:40.8
Princeton – 6:46.2
 
Fourth Varsity Eight
Navy 4V – 6:35.9
Navy 5V – 6:41.3
Princeton – 6:58.0

Boat Lineups
 

	First Varsity Eight	Second Varsity Eight	Third Varsity Eight	Fourth Varsity Eight	Fifth Varsity Eight
1	Drew Bennett	Clay Jackson	Chris Greubel	Patrick Watler	Harrison Boldt
2	Ben Capannari	Myles Knight	John Elkins	George Heinen	Charlie Goodrich
3	Kaden Dohm	Morgan Whetstone	Brendan Finn	Karl Schwarzkopf	Seamus Tomb
4	John Schoenewolf	Joshua Freitas	Jerra Ewing	Dan Johnston	Will Jarrett
5	Soren Mercer	Tyler Schatz	Noah Chaskin	Jack Spector	John Feng
6	Duke Brady	Creig Tarrant	Ben Skinner	Brycen Groess	Matthew Fox
7	Riki Gagnon	Theo Freidenrich	Leor Golan	Ben Blakeslee	David Jackson
8	Chandler Washburn	Max Gelbach	Brendan Philbin	Jesse Hall	Luke Waldo
Cox.	Jack Ransick	Pat Urrutia	Cullen Harper	Christophe Theodore	Maggie Scholl