Oct. 9, 2005

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Navy lightweight crew team opened its fall season by sweeping the top-three places in both the championship eight and championship four races at the Occoquan Challenge, Sunday on the Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax, Va. It is the second-straight year the Midshipmen have won both titles at the event.

"It was a great day with a lot of excitement," said Navy lightweight head coach Rob Friedrich. "This was a great tuneup for us as we prepare for the upcoming head racing season."

The Mids won the championship eight race in a time of 14:00, with Navy boats also finishing in times of 14:07, 14:13, 14:29 (fifth place) and 14:38 (seventh place). In the championship four event, Navy boats crossed the finish line in times of 15:03, 15:52, 16:04 and 16:29 (sixth place).

Navy will continue its fall season Saturday when the Mids compete in the Navy Day Regatta in Philadelphia.