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April 28, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's crew team will attempt to win its second Patriot League title in as many years Sunday when the league championship is held on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. Navy won each of the three individual boat titles, as well as the overall team championship at least year's league regatta.

The Mids, who were selected as the league's preseason favorite in March, will compete for the title against Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross and Lehigh in the varsity four and first and second varsity eight flights.

"Our two biggest challengers this weekend will be Bucknell and Colgate," said Navy women's head coach Mike Hughes. "We feel we are moving as well as we have all season so we have some confidence, but we expect good, close racing from each of the league schools. Anything can happen on the water."

The Patriot League regatta will be the first of two league championship meets Navy will take part in this spring. Following Sunday's event, the Mids will begin preparations for the May 14 Eastern Sprints Championship. Navy is ranked 11th among varsity eight boats in this week's Eastern Sprints poll, as well as seventh in the second varsity, 12th in the first novice and 10th in the varsity four flights.

Navy's varsity eight boat concluded its regular season with a 19-8 record.

Navy's heavyweight team will also be involved in racing this weekend as the Mids face Columbia for the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy Saturday on Mercer Lake in Mercer County, N.J. Since the series between the programs was renewed in 2002 following a nine-year hiatus, the Mids have won the varsity race and the trophy each year.

"We have been fortunate to have won the last four meetings, but Columbia has been experiencing a resurgence in their program since Mike Zimmer became head coach last year," said Navy heavyweight head coach Rick Clothier. "We expect very competitive racing Saturday."

Each of Navy's two varsity eight boats are ranked ninth in this week's Eastern Sprints poll, with the first freshman boat also ranked 12th. Columbia's first varsity boat is ranked 12th in the same poll.

Navy's varsity eight boat also is ranked 12th in this week's U.S. Rowing national poll, with Columbia's top boat ranked 19th.

Navy's lightweight crew team will not take to the water for a race until a May 14 dual at Penn for the Callow Cup. Each of Navy's five boats are ranked first in this week's Eastern Sprints poll. The Mids were helped to their lofty ranking by virtue of sweeping Harvard last weekend.