Oct. 21, 2007

BOSTON, Mass. - The Navy lightweight rowing team saw its eight-oared varsity boat place fifth overall and second among U.S. colleges at the Head of the Charles Regatta Sunday in Boston.

The New York Athletic Club won the three-mile race on the Charles River with a time of 14:25.810. Princeton had the top finishing collegiate crew in the race with a time of 14:45.430, which placed the Tigers fourth overall. The Mids finished one place in back of Princeton with a time of 14:49.209.

U.S. college crews accounted for 21 of the 29 boats in the field.

"Our boat went out very aggressive at the very start of the race and was in first place at the first checkpoint," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich. "We ran out of steam as the race went on and became a little sloppy which cost us some time. Overall, it was a very good showing and placement, especially against the other entered boats from our league."

Sunday's finish marked the second-straight year in which Navy placed second among colleges and fifth overall in the championship eight event.

The Mids also entered a four-oared boat into the regatta, with the crew also placing second among U.S. college entries. The New York Athletic Club posted a winning time of 16:29.091, with Yale placing second overall and first among college boats with a clocking of 16:32.524. The Mids followed in seventh-place overall with a time of 17:05.139.

There were 13 collegiate entries in the 23-boat field.

"Our four-man boat rowed an equally good race," said Friedrich. "They could have paced themselves a little better, as well, but they had a very good placing against some talented club teams."

Navy placed second among U.S. colleges and eighth overall in the championship four race at the 2006 event.