LEONIA, N.J. – The Navy women's rowing team turned in five hard-fought 2,000-meter pieces on Saturday as part of a three-team meet hosted by Columbia University. Entering its top-three varsity eight crews and top-two varsity fours in action, the Mids were thoroughly tested at Overpeck Park versus the Lions and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. At the conclusion of the day's racing, the Mids' first varsity eight had the most-competitive finish as they came within 3.25 seconds of nipping the Fighting Irish for second place in their respective event.
The five-race regatta was run in reverse order with the third varsity eights on the water first at Overpeck Park. Columbia and Notre Dame found themselves in a two-team battle as the host Lions held on for the 3.53-second victory, 7:45.91 to 7:49.44. Navy was a bit off the pace and completed the race with an 8:10.24 time.
Next up was the second varsity fours race. In a fairly straight forward contest, Columbia was the class of the field as the Lions cruised to a 17-plus second margin of victory, 8:04.48 to 8:22.46 over the Irish. The Mids were a little over 10 seconds off the Irish's pace and clocked in at 8:32.67.
The same combination across the line occurred in the first varsity four race as Columbia improved to three-for-three on the day with a victorious time of 8:13.91. Notre Dame registered a runner-up 8:20.17 effort, while Navy came in third with an 8:32.83 time.
The second varsity eight event was the most hotly-contest race of the series as Columbia and Notre Dame were locked in a two-boat duel down the stretch with the Lions edging the Irish by 1.88 seconds, 7:24.87 to 7:26.75. The Mids finished their endeavor with a time of 7:41.07.
The first varsity eight contest was the closest of the day for Navy as the Mids and Fighting Irish stayed in contact throughout the 2,000-meter course at Overpeck Park. While Columbia broke out to an open-water advantage with a victorious time of 7:10.17, Notre Dame held off a game Navy squad as it crossed at 7:24.16, 3.25 seconds ahead of the Mids' 7:27.41 effort.
"It was a tough day today," remarked head coach
Joe Schlosberg. "We fought hard, but simply did not have the necessary speed today. We must learn and adjust from here and we will."
Navy will be away from competition next weekend before hosting its lone home regatta for the spring 2026 season on Saturday, April 18 when it welcomes Georgetown University for a head-to-head bout on the Severn River.
Race Results
First Varsity Eight
Columbia – 7:10.17
Notre Dame – 7:24.16
Navy – 7:27.41
Second Varsity Eight
Columbia – 7:24.87
Notre Dame – 7:26.75
Navy – 7:41.07
First Varsity Four
Columbia – 8:13.91
Notre Dame – 8:20.17
Navy – 8:32.83
Second Varsity Four
Columbia – 8:04.48
Notre Dame – 8:22.46
Navy – 8:32.67
Third Varsity Eight
Columbia – 7:45.91
Notre Dame – 7:49.44
Navy – 8:10.24
Boat Lineups
