April 30, 2006

WORCESTER, Mass. - A second-place finish in the varsity race led to the Navy women's crew team placing second by two points in the team competition at the Patriot League Championship, Sunday morning on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass.

The day began with Navy placing second to Bucknell by three seconds in the varsity four race, then the Mids posted a 1.5-second victory over the Bison in the second varsity race. Bucknell closed the championship by holding off a late Navy sprint to record a 2.5-second triumph over the Mids in the varsity race.

Bucknell totaled 28 points on the day to win the team title, with Navy finishing second with 26 points. Colgate placed third overall with 17 points.

"Our four boat did a great job to finish second and only a few seconds behind Bucknell," said Navy head coach Mike Hughes. "That boat has been as many as 15 seconds behind Bucknell this year, so (assistant coach) Nicky Stimpson did a great job in turning that boat around.

"The second varsity boat continued its strong season by doing what they needed to do and that was win its race, but our varsity crew just fell a little short in their race."

Navy won each of the three individual boat titles, as well as the team championship at last year's inaugural league meet.

At the conclusion of the championship, the five league schools which sponsor women's rowing on the varsity level joined with club programs from Army and Lafayette to compete in a Patriot League Challenge competition. Navy won the two novice eight races by a combined 29 seconds, while also placing third in the varsity/novice four race.

The entire Navy crew team will now prepare for the Eastern Sprints Championship, which will be held May 14 in Camden, N.J. Navy's varsity entry placed a school-best 10th at last year's championship.

Patriot League Championship
Team Points
Bucknell, 28; Navy, 26; Colgate, 17; Lehigh, 11; Holy Cross, 8

First Varsity
Bucknell, 6:39.09; Navy, 6:41; Colgate, 6:42.86; Lehigh, 6:49.48; Holy Cross, 6:54.11

Second Varsity
Navy, 6:46.35; Bucknell, 6:47.84; Colgate, 6:53.89; Lehigh, 7:08.82; Holy Cross, 7:17.05

Varsity Four
Bucknell, 7:38.59; Navy, 7:41.56; Holy Cross, 7:45.45; Colgate, 7:52.12; Lehigh, 8:13.36

Patriot League Challenge
First Novice
Navy, 6:57.69; Lehigh, 7:12.79; Bucknell, 7:17.03; Holy Cross, 7:18.99; Army, 7:20.08; Lafayette, 7:28.37; Colgate, 7:42.26

Second Novice
Navy, 7:12.09; Lehigh, 7:26.96; Holy Cross, 7:31.61

Four Boat
Army, 7:29.97; Lafayette, 7:35.44; Navy, 7:46.72; Bucknell, 7:47.76; Holy Cross, 8:06.39; Lehigh, 8:39.66