ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The regular season finale for the Navy heavyweight crew team lies ahead on Sunday afternoon with a neutral site competition against Columbia and Hobart College. The No. 20 Mids (2-7) will be looking to knock off the No. 18 Lions (1-7) and No. 23 Statesmen (3-5) in the team's final prep before racing at the Eastern Sprints Championship in two weeks. A four-race slate of action is set for Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey starting at 2:15 p.m. and running through the first varsity eight trophy race with the Stevenson Trophy on the line at 3 p.m.

The entire schedule of racing on Sunday will go in reverse order with the fourth varsity eight contest kicking off the series at 2:15 p.m. Racing in 15-minute increments, the third and second varsity eight crews will head out down the 2,000-meter course on Mercer Lake at 2:30 and 2:45 p.m., respectively. The showdown for the Stevenson Trophy culminates the event at the top of the hour and will go to the fastest of the Navy and Columbia crews.

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, 45-6 lead in overall wins. Navy is currently on a five-race winning streak in Stevenson Trophy contests.

Most Recent Stevenson Cup Competition: May 5, 2024 in West Windsor, N.J.
The No. 11 Navy heavyweight crew team had a successful final weekend of regular season action as the Mids navigated the beginning of final exams week and Mother Nature as part of three-win regatta on Sunday afternoon in rainy Central New Jersey. Taking on the No. 18 Columbia Lions and Hobart College Statesmen over a four-race slate at Mercer Lake, the Mids collected victories in the first, third and fourth varsity eight contests.

The meet concluded with the Stevenson Cup on the line for the victor of the first varsity contest. Winners of four straight Stevenson Cup tilts (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), Navy made sure that the trophy would be residing in Hubbard Hall for another year as it knocked off Columbia by 3.4 seconds, 6:00.7 to 6:04.1. Hobart came in third with a time of 6:24.4.

Last Time Out: April 26 at Harvard w/Penn
Navy had the tough task of going up against a pair of top-eight programs on Saturday on the historic Charles River. Matched up versus the host No. 3 Harvard Crimson and No. 8 Penn Quakers over a slate of five contests on a 2,000-meter stretch of the Charles, the Mids came away with a victory by their fifth varsity eight crew. In the competition of the Adams and Clothier Cups the host Crimson retained both trophies.

The lineup for racing flipped to the top of the order as the Adams Cup was on the line in the ensuing contest between the first varsity eight crews. Harvard built up an early advantage and had a seat on Penn and five-plus on Navy within the first 300 meters. The Crimson and Quakers broke away and claimed open water over the Mids shortly after passing the 500-meter mark. In the second half of the race, Harvard flexed its muscle and out-paced the field with a victorious time of 5:50.2. Penn came in second at 5:53.3, while Navy placed third with a 6:04.9 time.

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
2:15 PM - Fourth Varsity Eights
2:30 PM - Third Varsity Eight
2:45 PM - Second Varsity Eights 
3:00 PM - First Varsity Eights