PRINCETON, N.J. – The fans at Lake Carnegie late Saturday afternoon were treated to an exciting five-race competition between two top-five lightweight crew teams that battled for the Jope Cup last year at the Eastern Sprints. At the conclusion of the rowing action, No. 3 Yale held off No. 5 Navy by a final 4-1 margin, though three of those victories were decided by three or less seconds, including just a 0.5-second decision in the first varsity race.
 
Racing in reverse order, Navy's fifth varsity eight crew collected a victory in the opening contest with a dominant 10.1-second margin over Yale, 6:04.9 to 6:15.0
 
In what was a storyline that played out frequently over the next four races, the Mids and Bulldogs found themselves in a tight battle over the 2,000-meter stretch of water in central New Jersey. At the finish line, Yale edged Navy by 1.6 seconds, 6:00.1 to 6:01.7.
 
The third varsity race was slightly more straight forward with the Bulldogs cruising a 5.2-second margin of victory, 5:50.2 to 5:55.4. The ensuing 2V contest was a bit closer with Yale holding on for a 3.0-second win over Navy, 5:47.6 to 5:50.6.
 
With the Eads Johnson Cup on the line for the victor of the first varsity eight race both teams jostled over a few-seat advantage for the entirety of the contest. During the last sprint to the finish line, Yale overtook Navy's push and crossed just 0.5 seconds ahead with a 5:35.5 time versus a 5:36.0 mark for the Mids.
 
Due to its success in the first varsity race, as well as in the overall competition, Yale went home on Saturday with both the Eads Johnson Cup and the Jon Van Amringe Cup.
 
"We always expect tight racing in this annual set of races, and yesterday lived up to that expectation," remarked head coach Shawn Bagnall. "At some level, the conditions exposed some of the areas in which our younger athletes have to mature at a quick rate. However, the coaching staff was beyond proud of how our men and women prepared and raced this week. With the racing within one seat the entire length of the course in the Johnson Cup, we caught a bobble or two in the last 10 strokes and the rhythm wasn't strong enough to withstand those hiccups. There are no weeks "off" in our schedule, so we are already in preparation for our home opener this coming weekend."
 
Navy will be right back in action this coming Saturday as they welcome another Eastern Sprints League rival, Columbia, to racing on the Severn River. The competition is scheduled for an approximate 7:30 a.m. start on April 8.
 
Race Results
 
First Varsity Eight
Yale - 5:35.5
Navy - 5:36.0
 
Second Varsity Eight
Yale - 5:47.6
Navy - 5:50.6
 
Third Varsity Eight
Yale - 5:50.2
Navy - 5:55.4
 
Fourth Varsity Eight
Yale - 6:00.1
Navy - 6:01.7
 
Fifth Varsity Eight
Navy - 6:04.9
Yale - 6:15.0

Boat Lineups

	First Varsity Eight	Second Varsity Eight	Third Varsity Eight	Fourth Varsity Eight	Fifth Varsity Eight
1	Paddy McNamara	Jonathan Greenberg	Frank Keusenkothen	Joshua Kim	Blake Haden
2	Matt Ross	Andrew Fichtel	Tanner Hamilton	Leo Wagner	Nathan Gustafson
3	Stephen Frost	Robby Klanac	Jack Moroney	Karl Florida	Blake Carter
4	Robert Sherman	Nani Veluchamy	Peter Carino	Nathan Faust	River de Vink
5	Owen O'Malley	Lucas Schatz	Sam Sheridan	Alexander Vester	Nihkolai Johnson-Newman
6	Mason Banks	Connor Rex	Colby MaGill	Ramon Mendoza	Alex Romano
7	Brooks Kirchen	Oliver Hasler	Luke McIntosh	Colson Poillucci	J.J. McCarthy
Str.	Jackson Fuller	Jonathan Sauer	Ross Johansen	Riley Guerrera	Colin Dupon
Cox.	Stephen Scholl	Emelia Sachs	Kelly Bye	Charles Francesconi	Devin Ratte