WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Navy lightweight program had a successful outing on Saturday at the 2024 IRA National Championship as its varsity four crew dominated the field in the petite final of its classification. With both their first and second varsity eights on a bye before Sunday's grand finals, the Mids' V4 took center stage and thrived in its 2,000-meter race at Mercer Lake going wire-to-wire to win the petite final and placing seventh overall in the nation.
The crew of
Nihko Johnson-Newman (So., San Diego, Calif.),
Leo Wagner (Jr., St. Louis, Mo.),
Luke McIntosh (Sr., Boise, Idaho),
Colson Poillucci (Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) and coxswain
Charles Francesconi (Jr., Burlingame, Calif.) came off the line fast with an opening 500-meter time of 1:36.80, that was 1.49 seconds ahead of second place MIT. The Mids continued to throw down fast 500-meter sectors as they crossed the midway point at 3:15.773, two-plus seconds clear of the Engineers. MIT made a slight move over the ensuing quarter and pulled within 1.76 seconds at 4:57.762 to 4:59.522. Navy's V4 was up to the challenge and closed out the race strongly to win by the eventual margin of 3.787 seconds over MIT, 6:37.077 to 6:40.864. Dartmouth and Marietta rounded out the four-boat field with times of 6:49.164 and 6:52.857, respectively.
With the petite final victory, Navy's varsity four finished the championship ranked seventh overall in the nation.
The lightweight program will conclude its action at the IRA National Championship on Sunday with grand finals for its first varsity eight at 10:40 a.m. and its second varsity eight at 9:50 a.m.
Â
Race Result
Varsity Four
First of 4 in Petite Final (Positions: 7-10)
Navy – 6:37.077 *7th in Nation
MIT – 6:40.864
Dartmouth – 6:49.164
Marietta – 6:52.857
BoatingÂ
Â
