ANNAPOLIS,
Md. - The Navy heavyweight rowing team kicked off its 2024 campaign on Saturday morning with a stiff test against Princeton and Mother Nature. Taking on the Tigers (4-0), nation's second-ranked team, the Mids (0-1) were in for even more of a challenge as a heavy crosswind with considerable whitecaps played a significant factor in Saturday's action on the Severn River. At the conclusion of the five-race slate that was eventually shortened to four due to the conditions of the water, Princeton ended up crossing the finish line first in all four races, including the first varsity eight to retain the Navy-Princeton Cup.
The Navy-Princeton Cup was up for grabs right off the bat as the first varsity eight contest led off Saturday's racing. Competitive throughout, the Tigers broke out to a four-seat lead by the quarter mark and cleared the Mids by the halfway point of the 2,000-meter course. Down, but not out, Navy finished with pace and came in 6.1 seconds shy of Princeton's winning time of 5:44.1 as the Mids posted a 5:50.2 result.
The next two races also went the way of Princeton by significant margins as the Tigers clocked in 18.6 seconds faster in the second varsity eight, 5:52.0 to 6:10.6 before checking in 8.7 seconds faster, 5:52.1 to 6:00.8 in the third varsity eight event.
The fourth varsity eight contest was the closest of the meet as the crews were separated by less than three seats at the 1,000-meter mark. Navy started closing in on Princeton as it drew within two seats over the ensuing 250 meters and was nearly even with 300 meters left in the race. The Tigers held off the hard-charging Mids by just 0.6 seconds at the finish line, 6:03.0 to 6:03.6.
The fifth varsity eight race that was scheduled to feature the 5Vs from both Navy and Princeton, as well the host's 6V and 7V crews was shortened to approximately 1,000-meters due the treacherous conditions further up the Severn. No times were kept in the informal race, though Midshipmen boats finished first, second and third ahead of the Tigers' crew.
"It wasn't the results that we were shooting for, but all of our guys raced hard in some very tough conditions," remarked
Rob Friedrich, the Tom & Candy Knudson Director of Navy Rowing. "Princeton is a fast team and many of our boats held them to fairly tight margins throughout the racing, but we know we have a lot more speed to gain."
Early season action will continue for Navy next weekend at the Occoquan Invitational in Fairfax, Va. The multi-team, two-session event will be contested on Sunday at the Occoquan Reservoir.
Race Results
First Varsity Eight
Princeton - 5:44.1
Navy - 5:50.2
Second Varsity Eight
Princeton - 5:52.0
Navy - 6:10.6
Third Varsity Eight
Princeton - 5:52.1
Navy - 6:00.8
Fourth Varsity Eight
Princeton - 6:03.0
Navy - 6:03.6
Fifth Varsity Eight
No times - Race shortened to 1,000 meters
Navy 5V/6V/7V
Princeton
Boat Lineups
