Navy Heavyweight Rowing Team Faces Tough Test Against Princeton in Season Opener

Navy Heavyweight Rowing Battles Princeton and Mother Nature in Season Opener

The Navy heavyweight rowing team faced a tough challenge in their 2024 season opener as they took on the second-ranked Princeton Tigers in less than ideal conditions on the Severn River. Battling a heavy crosswind with whitecaps, the Mids fought hard but ultimately fell short in all four races against the Tigers.

In the first varsity eight race, Princeton took an early lead and maintained their advantage throughout the 2,000-meter course, finishing 6.1 seconds ahead of Navy with a time of 5:44.1. The second and third varsity eight races also went in favor of Princeton by significant margins, showcasing their dominance on the water.

The closest race of the meet came in the fourth varsity eight contest, with Navy closing in on Princeton in the final meters but ultimately falling just 0.6 seconds short at the finish line. Despite the challenging conditions, the Midshipmen showed determination and grit in their efforts against a strong opponent.

Head coach Rob Friedrich praised his team’s effort, acknowledging the tough conditions they faced and the need for improvement moving forward. The Mids will look to bounce back next weekend at the Occoquan Invitational in Fairfax, Va., where they will have another opportunity to showcase their speed and determination on the water.

While the results may not have been what Navy was hoping for, the team’s performance in adverse conditions is a testament to their resilience and determination. With more races on the horizon, the Mids will continue to push themselves to reach their full potential and achieve success in the upcoming season.