WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The No. 20 Navy heavyweight rowing team concluded its 2025 regular season with a three-team neutral site meet versus No. 18 Columbia and No. 23 Hobart on Sunday afternoon. Racing along a 2,000-meter stretch of Mercer Lake, the Mids collected wins in three of four classifications in their final series of races before postseason competition begins for the program on May 18.
The slate of contests went in reverse order on Sunday with a fourth varsity eight race between Navy and Hobart leading off. The Mids in the fourth crew set the tone for the day with a dominant wire-to-wire victory. Navy's 4V clocked in at 6:23.5, 12.9 seconds ahead of Hobart's entry that posted a 6:36.4 result.
In the ensuing third varsity eight race, again a one-on-one bout between Navy and Hobart, the Mids scorched the Statesman off the line and pulled out to an open-water lead quickly. Navy continued to cruise away from Hobart down the waters of Mercer Lake and won by 23.8 seconds, 6:10.4 to 6:34.2.
Columbia joined the conversion for the final two races on Sunday. Adding a third team to the equation didn't have much of an effect on the Mids as they increased their record to 3-for-3 at the meet with a victory by their second varsity eight. Close throughout a majority of the race, Navy secured the open-water win as it defeated Hobart by 6.8 seconds, 5:59.8 to 6:06.6. Columbia crossed the finish line in third with a 6:09.4 time.
With the Stevenson Trophy on the line in the first varsity eight race, the Lions and Mids were locked into a 2,000-meter battle. Over the course of the action, Columbia slowly edged out ahead of Navy taking seats periodically and finished the race first at 5:52.7, 3.5 seconds ahead of the Mids' 5:56.2 effort. Hobart was well off the pace and came in third at 6:12.8.
Following Sunday's racing, the Mids will return their attention to final exams at the Naval Academy before hitting the water again in two weeks at the 2025 Eastern Sprints Championship. The all-day event will be hosted at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts on Sunday, May 18.
Race Results
First Varsity Eight
Columbia - 5:52.7
Navy - 5:56.2
Hobart - 6:12.8
Second Varsity Eight
Navy - 5:59.8
Hobart - 6:06.6
Columbia - 6:09.4
Third Varsity Eight
Navy - 6:10.4
Hobart - 6:34.2
Fourth Varsity Eight
Navy - 6:23.5
Hobart - 6:36.4
Boat Lineups
