WORCESTER, Mass. – The Navy heavyweight rowing program began its stretch of postseason racing on Sunday with action at the 2025 Eastern Sprints. Entering five boats into the conference-wide competition, the Mids' fourth varsity eight had the most successful day of the fleet with a third-place result in the petite final. Taking on a field of 15 teams for 2,000 meters of racing on Lake Quinsigamond in central Massachusetts, Navy had boats competing in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth varsity classifications. The Mids' top four crews all raced twice on Sunday with an initial qualifying heat in morning and final action in the afternoon.
Navy's fourth varsity eight had the most complete day of competition. The Mids' run began with a time of 6:06.064 in the morning and ranking fifth of six teams in heat two, though if they raced in the first heat they would've been fourth and challenged for third versus Brown's 6:05.222. In the afternoon petite final, the 4V was in the mix at the front of the seven-team field throughout the 2,000-meter piece. Over the course of the race, Princeton continuously added seats to its lead before winning the final with a 5:59.516 time. In contact down the stretch, Boston University held off Navy by 1.256 seconds, 6:02.852 to 6:04.108. In the final standings, the Mids' third-place result ranked ninth overall in the field of 13 teams.
Navy's second varsity eight also had a strong improvement from its initial heat to the finals in the afternoon as they shaved over 17 seconds off its time. Competing in the first heat of their classification, Navy came in fifth place with a time of 6:21.125. Coming back five hours later, the 2V went up against Georgetown and Holy Cross as part of the third final. Challenged by the Hoyas during the contest with stroke-for-stroke racing throughout, the Mids pushed across the finish line in first place by 0.67 seconds, 6:04.100 to 6:04.770. In the final standings, that third final victory ranked Navy 13th overall.
The Mids' third varsity eight also won its third final contest on Sunday to finish 13th in the field. Their day of action started with a time of 6:04.949 that stood fifth in the first heat. Participating in the third final, Navy's 3V cruised to a victory as it cleared Georgetown by 4.64 seconds, 6:15.291 to 6:19.931.
Navy's first varsity concluded the run of boats making two passes down the course on Lake Quinsigamond. The Mids opened the regatta with a morning time of 5:53.257 to place fifth in heat number two. Competing in the third final of the classification, Navy was in a three-boat race alongside Columbia and Holy Cross. After coming up short against the Lions in their regular season meeting by 3.5 seconds, the Mids sought to even the score on Sunday. Navy's revenge race was excruciatingly close as the V8 fell by just 0.156 seconds to Columbia, 5:52.603 to 5:52.759. Holy Cross was over five seconds back with a 5:57.781 effort. Overall, the Mids ranked 14th in the field with this result.
Taking part in a straight-to-grand final event, Navy's fifth varsity eight crew was in the mix in the middle of the pack, but were unable to keep pace down the stretch as the Mids finished seventh with a 6:22.273 time. They were just 3.252 out of the top five as Cornell came in fifth at 6:19.021.
After the conclusion of racing on Sunday, Navy will turn its attention to the IRA National Championship regatta that is scheduled for the weekend of May 30-June 2 in Camden, New Jersey.
Race Results
First Varsity Eight
Heat 2; 5th of 5 boats … 5:53.257
Third Final
Columbia – 5:52.603
Navy – 5:52.759 (14th overall)
Holy Cross – 5:57.781
Second Varsity Eight
Heat 1; 5th of 5 boats … 6:21.125
Third Final
Navy – 6:04.100 (13th overall)
Georgetown – 6:04.770
Holy Cross – 6:10.498
Third Varsity Eight
Heat 1; 5th of 5 boats … 6:04.949
Third Final
Navy – 6:15.291 (13th overall)
Georgetown – 6:19.931
Fourth Varsity Eight
Heat 2; 5th of 6 boats … 6:06.064
Petite Final
Princeton – 5:59.516
Boston Univ. – 6:02.852
Navy – 6:04.108 (9th overall)
Cornell – 6:09.300
Georgetown – 6:13.996
Wisconsin – 6:15.736
Holy Cross – 6:16.256
Fifth Varsity Eight
Grand Final
Yale – 6:05.853
Brown – 6:09.803
Princeton – 6:11.229
Penn – 6:16.191
Cornell – 6:19.021
Dartmouth – 6:20.033
Navy – 6:22.273 (7th overall)
Boat Lineups
