April 19, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Syracuse won the varsity race by 1.4 seconds over Navy and 7.2 seconds over Cornell to win the Goes Trophy Race between the three heavyweight rowing teams for a third-straight year, Saturday on Cayuga Inlet in Ithaca, N.Y. It marks the first time since the Goes Trophy Race was established in 1955 that the Orange have won the race in three consecutive seasons.

Syracuse tallied a time of 5:40.9 to win the varsity race, with Navy finishing in second place with a time of 5:42.3 and Cornell placing third with a clocking of 5:58.1.

"It was a hot race," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "The lead went back and forth between Navy and Syracuse over the entire course. The difference in the race was in the last 30 strokes when Syracuse put together a stronger sprint. We are disappointed with that result, but we can be very pleased with beating a talented Cornell crew by nearly six seconds."

Navy would place third behind Cornell and Syracuse in both the second varsity and second freshman races, as well as second behind the Orange in the first freshman race. With the results, Syracuse also claimed possession of the Stag Trophy, which is presented to the team compiling the most team points on the day. The Mids and the Big Red tied for second place in the Stag Trophy standings.

Navy's varsity boat will take to the water again Sunday morning when the Mids face Columbia in Princeton, N.J., for the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy. The remainder of the Navy and Columbia crews will compete against each other in early May.

"This will be a challenge for us," said Clothier of having to race again Sunday after a close loss. "Columbia has a very good crew that beat Yale today, so we will have to quickly put today behind us."

First Varsity 8 (Goes Trophy Race)
Syracuse, 5:40.9; Navy, 5:42.3; Cornell, 5:48.1
Second Varsity 8
Cornell, 5:52.5; Syracuse, 5:56.4; Navy, 6:08.4
First Freshman 8
Syracuse, 5:51.8; Navy, 5:54.9; Cornell, 5:58.6
Second Freshman 8
Cornell, no time; Syracuse, -2.9 seconds; Navy, -7.56 seconds
Stag Trophy Standings
Syracuse, first, Navy and Cornell, tied for second