6/5/2004 - Men's Lightweight Crew
Navy Lightweight Crew Wins IRA National Championship
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CAMDEN, N.J. - Navy's lightweight crew team concluded an undefeated season by winning the grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship, Saturday on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.
Navy's varsity boat began the day by winning its semifinal heat in a time of 6:18.91, a 2.5-second margin of victory for the Mids over second-place Princeton. It was the second-fastest time recorded in the heats as Georgetown won the second semifinal in a top-time of 6:17.52.
The top-ranked boat in the country since the middle of April, the Mids would post a 6:05.02 in the ensuing grand final to defeat Georgetown (6:08.67), Princeton (6:12.47), Yale (6:12.47), Harvard (6:16.28) and Cornell (6:21.94).
"The race went really well, beginning with the start," said Navy head coach Rob Friedrich. "We had an early lead, but then Georgetown pulled even and mat have takenb a slight lead on us around ther midpoint in the race. This Navy team has had a knack all season for having a great closing sprint and they demonstrated that again today."
The victory is Navy's first since it began competing at the IRA's in 1995. Navy's best previous finish was second in 2002.
"It's an amazing feeling," said Friedrich. "This is, arguably, the best crew in Navy lightweight history. It is pretty rare for a boat to win both the Eastern Sprints and the IRA's in the same year, but this boat did just that. It is a huge accomplishment.
"We are now very excited to be heading off to England to represent the Naval Academy at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta."
The Mids will join the top crews from around the world in competing at the regatta at Henley on the Thames in England at the end of June and early July.
Saturday's Results
Heat - 1st of 5, 6:18.91
NAVY - 6:18.91; Princeton - 6:21.39; Cornell - 6:22.65; Boston College - 6:24.51; Rutgers - 6:31.28
Grand Final - 1st of 6, 6:05.02 - 1st (of 11) overall
NAVY - 6:05.02; Georgetown - 6:08.67; Princeton - 6:12.47; Yale - 6:15.67; Harvard - 6:16.28; Cornell - 6:21.94
