ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The No. 11 Navy heavyweight rowing team will put the finishing touches on its 2024 regular season on Sunday with a neutral site head-to-head competition against No. 18 Columbia. The Mids (5-4) will be aiming to hold onto the Stevenson Cup for the fifth straight matchup with the Lions (1-5) as the teams will race at Mercer Lake in West Windosr, N.J. over the course of four separate contests. The action is scheduled to kick off at 12:20 p.m. with the fourth varsity eights before wrapping up the meet an hour later. This Sunday's Navy-Columbia matchup will be a preview of two of the leading combatants for the Eastern Sprints Championship that will be held in two weeks, as well as the IRA National Championship, set for two weeks later.
The entire slate of Sunday's contest will go in a 4V-3V-2V-1V order with the first race between the fourth varsities going off at 12:20 p.m.; Navy will have its 5V entered as a guest in this initial event. Racing in 20-minute increments, the third and second varsities will go out in orderly fashion at 12:40 and 1:00 p.m., respectively before the Stevenson Cup will be on the line in the 1:20 p.m. finale between the first varsities from Navy and Columbia.
Most Recent Stevenson Cup Competition: April 30, 2023 in West Windsor, N.J.
Navy wrapped up its 2023 regular season with great success on April 30 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.
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.
What's at Stake
Stevenson Trophy
First presented in 1950 to winner of the first varsity race between Navy and Columbia and named in honor of Maxwell Stevenson, an early chairman of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association, the Mids hold a substantial, 44-6 lead in overall wins.
Last Time Out: April 27 vs. Harvard & Penn
In a showdown with three of the nation's top-11 teams racing on the Severn River on Saturday, April 27, No. 3 Harvard took home victories in the top three varsity eight races before No. 9 Penn and No. 11 Navy each collected one win a piece. The Crimson's success at the top of Saturday's racing slate resulted in them celebrating with the Adams Cup and Clothier Team Points Trophy at the end of the competition. The Mids' depth was showcased in their victory in the fifth varsity eight to close out the meet.
Racing in an orderly fashion, the first varsity eight crews were first on the water on Saturday morning with the Adams Cup on the line for the victor. A tough start by Navy left the Mids behind early as Harvard and Penn jockeyed for position over the first 750 meters. The Crimson took over first place before the 1,000-meter mark and never looked back as all three teams battled extremely choppy water conditions down the seawall. At the conclusion of the 2,000-meter piece, Harvard won with a time of 6:19.9, 1.6 seconds ahead of Penn. Navy clocked in third at 6:38.1.
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
Race Schedule
12:20 PM - Fourth Varsity Eights (w/Navy 5V)
12:40 PM - Third Varsity Eight
1:00 PM - Second Varsity Eights
1:20 PM - First Varsity Eights (Stevenson Cup between Navy/Columbia)
