April 19, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy lightweight rowing team won the varsity race and three of the four additional races the Mids contested against Delaware, Saturday morning on the Severn River in Annapolis, Md.

Navy's varsity boat posted a time of 6:07.6 to finish 17 seconds ahead of the Delaware entry (6:24.5). Navy boats also placed both first and second in the second varsity race, first and third in the second freshman race and won the two-boat varsity four contest.

Delaware's lone win over the five races was in the first freshman flight where the Blue Hens edged Navy by 1.6 seconds.

"I feel our varsity, second varsity and third varsity boats all had solid races today," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich. "We knew coming into the race that Delaware had a very strong freshman boat and they displayed their strength today. They are one of the fastest freshman boat we have seen all year. It was a tight race the entire length of the course."

The Mids will close their regular season April 26 when Navy plays host to Harvard and Georgetown. The varsity race between the Mids and the Crimson is for the Haines Cup.

"We are excited about the opportunity ahead of us next weekend when we face Harvard and Georgetown," said Friedrich. "We want to end our regular season on a high note, which means we will need to have a good week of practice."

First Varsity 8
Navy 6:07.6; Delaware, 6:24.5
Second Varsity 8
Navy (2V), 6:12.8; Navy (3V), 6:22.8; Delaware, 6:31.2
Varsity 4
Navy, 7:46.7; Delaware, 7:59.4
First Freshman 8
Delaware, 6:19.3; Navy, 6:20.9
Second Freshman 8
Navy (2F), 6:42.7; Delaware, 6:54.9; Navy (3F), 6:57.4