ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The early-season tests will continue for the No. 7 Navy lightweight team this Saturday with a neutral site match-up versus No. 5 Yale in central New Jersey. One week after opening at home against No. 3 Princeton, the Mids will go head-to-head over a three-race slate against the Bulldogs with a pair of trophies up for grabs to the victors, the Eads Johnson Cup for the first varsity eight champs and the Jon Van Amringe Cup for the team points winner. The action at Mercer Lake is scheduled to begin at 5:20 p.m. and consist of first, second and third varsity eight contests.

The entire slate of racing on Saturday between Navy and Yale will go in reverse order with each team's third varsity eight crews leading off the event at 5:20 p.m. Twenty minutes later at 5:40 p.m. the respective second varsity eight crews of Midshipmen and Bulldog rowers will battle before the first varsities will race down Mercer Lake for the right to take home the Eads Johnson Cup at 6:00 p.m.

Most Recent Navy-Yale Matchup: April 1, 2023 
The fans at Lake Carnegie on April 1 were treated to an exciting five-race competition between two top-five lightweight crew teams that battled for the Jope Cup at the 2022 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.

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.

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.

What's at Stake
Eads Johnson Cup
Established in 2004 and presented to the winner of the varsity race between Navy and Yale, the trophy is named after Eads Johnson, the captain of the 1934 Yale lightweight rowing team and a 20-year member of the U.S. Navy. In its history, the Bulldogs have earned 14 titles versus four for the Mids. Navy is looking for its first cup win since 2010.

Jon Van Amringe Cup
The Van Amringe Cup is awarded to the team with the highest cumulative finish across all five races. Van Amringe was a Yale lightweight rower, who first served in the U.S. Navy and then coached the Navy lightweights. The trophy was first awarded in 2019.

Last Time Out - March 23 vs. Princeton
The 2024 season got underway for the Navy lightweight rowing team on Saturday morning and the Mids were in for a battle against Princeton, as well as Mother Nature. Tasked with navigating a tough 2,000-meter stretch of the Severn River, while dealing with heavy rains, the No. 7 Mids turned in extremely competitive pieces versus the No. 3 Tigers and came away with a victory in the third varsity eight race and two runner-up results with margins of 3.0 seconds in the first varsity eight and 1.1 in the second varsity eight contest.

The Murtaugh Cup was up for grabs in the race between the first varsity eight crews. Theveteran Tiger boat controlled the action down the stretch for the 5:46.3 to 5:49.3 victory.

The three-race slate concluded with three crews competing in the third varsity eight contest. Navy's depth shined in this race as the Mids' third and fourth varsity eight crews both posted faster times than Princeton's third varsity entry. Navy's 3V won with a time of 6:08.3, while the Mids' 4V bested the Tigers by 2.2 seconds, 6:12.1 to 6:14.3.

Race Schedule
5:20 PM - Third Varsity Eight
5:40 PM - Second Varsity Eight
6:00 PM - First Varsity Eight  *Johnson Cup*

Spectator Viewing
All parents/supporters must view racing from the Mercer Park/marina side of the lake.
    Mercer County Park Marina & Boathouse
    334 S Post Rd
    West Windsor Township, NJ 08550