June 1, 2007

CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Navy heavyweight crew program bounced back from a difficult opening day at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship with a solid day of racing Friday on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J. Navy entries placed among the top-three boats in five of their seven races on the day, with a trio of crews recording victories.

Leading the way for the Mids was the first varsity eight crew, which won its consolation semifinal Friday by one-half of a second over Georgetown.

Navy was either first or second down the entire 2,000-meter course and held a slim lead over the Hoyas for the final portion of the race. The Mids posted a winning time of 5:45.367, with Georgetown recording a time of 5:45.943 to place second.

"We rowed well yesterday, but didn't see the results for our effort," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "Today, despite still being spent from Thursday, we put together a solid row and found enough left in our tanks to win the race. I feel we will have an even better effort Saturday in the third level final."

Navy's second varsity eight boat also won its consolation semifinal race Friday, winning by just over two seconds, while the varsity four without coxswain boat won the E level final by nearly four seconds.

Navy's freshman eight crew placed second in its consolation semifinal race Friday, while the varsity pair boat placed third.

The three-day regatta will conclude Saturday, with start times for all races changed from the event's original schedule due to the possibility of poor weather. A total of seven heavyweight boats plus the lightweight varsity crew will race for the Mids on the day. Navy's varsity four without coxswain boat will compete in the grand final, the varsity pairs and freshman four entries will race in petite finals, and the first and second varsity eight, the freshman eight and open four crews will all race in third level finals. The lightweight varsity boat will race in a morning heat followed by either the grand or petite final in the early afternoon.

First Varsity Eight
Consolation Semifinal -- 1st of 6 -- Navy, 5:45.367; Georgetown, 5:45.943; Penn, 5:47.347; Marist, 5:48.766; George Washington, 5:54.869; Dartmouth, 5:58.093
Saturday's Schedule -- Third Level Final (12:36 p.m.)

Second Varsity Eight
Consolation Semifinal -- 1st of 6 -- Navy, 5:52.934; Princeton, 5:55.154; Michigan, 5:55.542; Holy Cross, 6:03.521; Dartmouth, 6:10.552
Saturday's Schedule -- Third Level Final (8:48 a.m.)

Freshman Eight
Consolation Semifinal -- 2nd of 6 -- Wisconsin, 5:51.906; Navy, 5:55.243; Boston Univ., 5:55.463; Holy Cross, 6:00.539; Hobart, 6:09.316; Michigan, 6:14.106
Saturday's Schedule -- Third Level Final (8:36 a.m.)

Varsity Four with Coxswain
E Level Final -- 1st of 7 -- Navy, 6:39.570; Georgia, 6:43.020; Lehigh, 6:46.132; Minnesota, 6:47.132; Michigan, 6:49.207; Loyola, 6:49.403; Holy Cross, 7:06.004
Saturday's Schedule -- None

Varsity Four without Coxswain
Friday's Schedule -- Bye
Saturday's Schedule -- Grand Final (10:48 a.m.)

Open Four with Coxswain
Repechage Race -- 4th of 4 -- Syracuse, 6:46.292; Harvard, 6:50.191; Georgetown, 6:57.032; Navy, 7:05.413
Saturday's Schedule -- Third Level Final (7:48 a.m.)

Freshman Four with Coxswain
Championship Semifinal -- 4th of 6 -- California, 6:29.316; Boston Univ., 6:36.603; Oregon State, 6:39.051; Navy, 6:39.606; Grand Valley, 6:41.355; George Washington, 6:49.461
Saturday's Schedule -- Petite Final (9:24 a.m.)

Varsity Pair without Coxswain
Repechage Race -- 3rd of 4 -- Cornell, 7:02.274; USC, 7:08.177; Navy, 7:18.059; Princeton, 7:21.230
Saturday's Schedule -- Petite Final (9 a.m.)