Oct. 21, 2007

BOSTON, Mass. - The Navy heavyweight rowing team's varsity eight boat placed ninth overall and seventh among U.S. colleges at the Head of the Charles Regatta Sunday in Boston.

The Mids completed the three-mile course on the Charles River in a time of 14:37.781. However, Navy missed a buoy on the course and was awarded a 10-second penalty, which dropped its official time to 14:47.781.

The U.S. Rowing Team won the overall 44-boat field with a time of 14:03.711, while Wisconsin placed second overall and first among the 31 college crews with a clocking of 14:30.018.

Navy's eight-man boat placed 11th among colleges and 18th overall last year.

"This was our best finish in a number of years, so we are very proud of that," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier.

Navy's four-oared entry placed seventh among U.S. colleges and 12th overall with a time of 17:14.560. The U.S. Rowing Team won the 19-boat race with a time of 15:45.629, while Harvard placed fourth overall and won the 11-boat college division with a time of 16:09.609.

The Mids placed fourth among U.S. colleges and seventh overall at the 2006 event.