Navy Lightweight Rowing Team Splits Matchup at Columbia, Wins WIT Cup

In a thrilling matchup at Overpeck Park in northern New Jersey, the No. 7 Navy lightweight rowing team faced off against the No. 8 Columbia Lions in an Eastern Sprints League showdown. The Mids came out strong, but ultimately split the races with the Lions, showcasing their competitive spirit and determination on the water.

The action kicked off with the third varsity eight event, where Columbia narrowly edged out Navy’s 4V by just over a second. The Lions continued their momentum into the second varsity eight race, finishing ahead of the Mids by 7.24 seconds.

However, it was in the headlining WIT Cup contest, the first varsity eight race, where Navy truly shined. Despite challenging headwinds and choppy water conditions, the Mids dominated the race, securing a commanding victory over Columbia with a 13.47-second lead.

Head coach Shawn Bagnall praised the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the efforts of the first varsity eight crew. Bagnall acknowledged the need to continue fine-tuning lineups in the coming weeks but expressed pride in the team’s overall dedication and hard work.

With the WIT Cup once again in their possession, Navy will look to build on this success as they prepare for upcoming races. The Mids will have a weekend off before returning to action with a tri-meet against Harvard and Delaware on April 20, followed by a matchup against Georgetown on April 21.

The Navy lightweight rowing team’s impressive showing against Columbia sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the season, as they aim to continue their winning ways and make a statement in the Eastern Sprints League.