WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The No. 16 Navy heavyweight rowing team wrapped up its regular season with great success on Sunday with a four-race sweep of action against No. 22 Columbia and Hobart College. Racing through heavy rain on Mercer Lake in central New Jersey on Sunday morning, the Mids rolled the Lions and Statesmen by six or more seconds in dominant efforts by their second, third and fourth varsity crews, while the first varsity crew had a battle on their hands against the Lions to retain the Stevenson Cup.
A one-on-one matchup between the third varsities of Navy and Hobart kicked off the competition. The Mids led start-to-finish as a quick opening sprint built out over the 2,000 meters to an eventual 30.4-second margin of victory, 6:21.5 to 6:51.9.
Columbia joined the event in the ensuing race, the second varsity eight. Fairly spaced-out by the midway point of the piece, Navy continued putting distance between itself and Columbia down the stretch for a 6.8-second final margin as the Mids clocked in at 6:29.6 versus a 6:36.4 mark for the Lions. The Statesmen were 8.5 seconds back of the Lions at 6:44.9.
In the spotlight race of the day, the first varsity eights took center stage with the Stevenson Cup on the line. Navy and Columbia quickly out-paced Hobart and found themselves in a one-on-one battle at the front of the field. Tight throughout the 2,000-meter race, the Mids held off the Lions' challenge at the finish line by 2.4 seconds, 6:16.4 to 6:18.8. The Statesmen were well back with their 6:38.0 final result.
The racing on Sunday concluded with a three-boat fourth/fifth varsity eight contest. Entering both its fourth and fifth varsity eight crews, Navy dominated Hobart's fourth varsity as the Mids rolled to a one-two finish courtesy of 6:37.2 and 6:40.1 times, respectively for their 4V and 5V. The Statesmen were nearly a minute back at 7:30.2.
"This was a very good day for all our boats today," remarked
Rob Friedrich, the Tom & Candy Knudson Director of Navy Rowing. "We still have speed to gain and our athletes are excited to get back to work. We have a lot of rowing left with the postseason ahead for us."
After its 4-0 performance on Sunday, the Mids will step away from the water and turn their focus to final exams at the Naval Academy over the next two weeks. Next up on its competition schedule is the 2023 Eastern Sprints in Worcester, Mass. on Sunday, May 14.
Race Results
First Varsity Eight
Navy – 6:16.4
Columbia – 6:18.8
Hobart – 6:38.0
Second Varsity Eight
Navy – 6:29.6
Columbia – 6:36.4
Hobart – 6:44.9
Third Varsity Eight
Navy – 6:21.5
Hobart – 6:51.9
Fourth Varsity Eight
Navy 4V – 6:37.2
Navy 5V – 6:40.1
Hobart – 7:30.2
Boat Lineups
