May 30, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy's men's crew teams will close their respective seasons this weekend when the Mids participate in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship. The heavyweight team will be in action Thursday through Sunday on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J., while the lightweight's varsity boat will compete in a pair of races Saturday.

Navy's two heavyweight varsity eight boats advanced to the petite finals at the 2006 IRA event, with the first varsity crew placing 11th overall and the second varsity entry placing 10th. The first varsity boat was seeded 11th (in a field of 24) this year while the second varsity crew did not garner one of the top-12 seeds.

The heavyweight program will enter one crew into each of the eight classes of boats at the regatta, with several members of the lightweight team helping to complete some of the small boat lineups.

Navy's lightweight varsity eight boat has placed sixth in the grand final at the championship in each of the past two years after winning the title in 2004.