PHILADELPHIA – The Navy heavyweight rowing team participated in its lone competition of its 2024 fall schedule on Saturday afternoon with action at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. Racing on a 2.5-mile stretch of the Schuylkill River in downtown Philadelphia, the Mids had six crew entered in the men's championship eights event. At the completion of the head-style time trial, Navy's first varsity crew nearly garnered a bronze medal for its performance as they clocked in just 3.567 seconds shy of the podium.

Taking on field of 22 collegiate and club crews hailing from across the Mid-Atlantic region, the Mids' top varsity boat started out extremely fast with the second-best opening time through the St. Joe's checkpoint with a 2:40.0 mark. Their pace fell off a bit over the next segment as they were passed by La Salle, but tied for third with Penn 'B' at 7:36.1. The final three-plus minutes saw Penn go back-to-back at the top of the leaderboard with its first varsity clocking in with a time of 10:39.705, while its second varsity posted a 10:59.181. The race for the final medal position went to La Salle as the Explorers held off the Mids for third place, 10:59.925 to 11:03.492.

Four of Navy's entries dotted the standings in positions 11 through 19, led by its second varsity finishing its race at 11:28.670, good for 11th. The Mids' third varsity was a little over 14 seconds back in 14th place at 11:42.706. Navy's D and E entries ranked 16th and 19th overall with respective times of 11:46.893 and 12:02.942.

The Mids' sixth and final entry clocked in a 12:27.946 to place 21st.
 
Saturday's action was the final intercollegiate racing for the heavyweight program until the spring season kicks off in April of 2025.
  
Race Results
Men's Championship Eights (22 boats in field)
1) Penn A – 10:39.705
2) Penn B – 10:59.181
3) La Salle – 10:59.925
4) Navy A – 11:03.492
5) Temple – 11:07.534
11) Navy B – 11:28.670
14) Navy C – 11:42.706
16) Navy D – 11:46.893
19) Navy E – 12:02.942
21) Navy F – 12:27.946