ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy rowing program will see its first action in over two years as the heavyweight and lightweight teams will be racing in head-to-head home competition on Saturday morning. Last racing 663 days ago at the IRA National Championship on May 31-June 2, 2019, the lightweight team will be on the Severn River first on March 27 when the Mids welcome the Pioneers of Marietta College in a three-race slate beginning at 7:45 a.m. After the completion of lightweight action, the heavies will head out onto the Severn in a three-race tilt against Drexel University; the first race is set for approximately, 11:20 a.m. pending on water conditions. The Navy rowing staff is planning (if possible) to stream the action via their Facebook channel ... Navy Crew FB

The teams will be competing in 20-minute increments as the lightweights will start with a 3V/4V/5V race at 7:45 a.m. followed by the premier first varsity matchup at 8:05 a.m. The lightweights will wrap up their slate with the 2V race at 8:25 a.m. The heavyweights from Navy and Drexel will take to the 2,000-meter course with the first varsity crews going head-to-head first at 11:20 a.m. After the top crews battle it out the 2V's are scheduled to go at 11:40 a.m. before closing with the third crews splitting into four-person boats at 12 p.m.

Attendance Policy for Saturday
Attendance is limited to 200 faculty, staff and midshipmen, masked and socially-distanced. No members of the general public, alumni, parents or sponsors will be permitted unless they fall into the category of faculty, staff or midshipmen.

Last Time on the Water (Spring Racing): 2019 IRA National Championship
The last spring competitive racing for Navy crew occurred at the 2019 IRA National Championship in Gold River, Calif. Taking part in two days of contests versus rivals from across the U.S., the lightweights tied for second overall in the team standings with Princeton as the Mids saw its V4+ and V4- boats win their respective events and earn national championships. Navy's lightweight V8 crew was in the heart of the grand final race and placed sixth overall in the nation. Following three days of action at the same championship, the heavyweights finished 11th overall in the Ten Eyck team point standings as the Mids' first varsity placed 14th in the nation. Additionally, the Mids' 2V8 ranked tenth, the same as their 3V8 and 1V4, respectively.

Who's Back
Heavyweight Edition:
Senior Peter Faber will be serving as the Mids' team captain during this campaign. 12 fellow seniors will help Faber lead the way for Navy's effort in 2021: Harrison Bleckley, Jared Cox, Lakayla DeShields, M.J. Duffy, Jerra Ewing, Griffin Hamilton, Benjamin Johnson, Tiffany Johnstone, Franklin Shew, Josey Troyer, George Williams and Zane Wilson. After the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined the team and delayed the collegiate debut of the Mids' Class of 2023 last spring, Navy's final experience will come from its 18-person junior class.

Lightweight Edition:
Senior Riki Gagnon was selected by his teammates to lead the Navy lightweight program during the 2020-21 season as team captain. He is aided in his leadership by a nine-person senior class: Harrison Boldt, Duke Brady, John Feng, Howard Francis, Chris Greubel, John Schoenewolf, Maggie Scholl and Chandler Washburn. Added experience will come from the Mids' 13-man junior class.

Saturday's Race Schedule
Lightweight: Navy vs. Marietta
7:45 AM - Third/Fourth/Fifth Varsity Eight
8:05 AM - First Varsity Eight
8:25 AM - Second Varsity Eight

Heavyweight: Navy vs. Drexel
11:20 AM - First Varsity Eight
11:40 AM - Second Varsity Eight
12:00 PM - Third Varsity (Racing in 4's)