Navy Sweeps Varsity Races at GW Invite

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Navy heavyweight crew team won each of the four varsity races and placed second in the two freshman events at the George Washington Invitational, held Saturday on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It marked the third-straight year Navy's varsity and second varsity boats have won their respective divisions at the regatta.

"I thought our varsity boat raced very strongly today," said Navy head coach Rick Clothier. "We made a lot of progress from last week (fourth place at the San Diego Crew Classic). Between jet lag, exams and weather limiting our practice time, we rebounded more than I expected us to. I was very pleased with the row and feel it is one we can build on."

Navy's varsity boat posted a time of 5:28.8 to defeat Virginia by seven seconds in the grand final, while the second varsity boat held off second-place Temple by 1.8 seconds in its championship final. Navy also won both varsity four races, with the first varsity winning by 5.6 seconds over Temple and the second varsity entry winning by 12.3 seconds over the host Colonials.

The Mids came close to winning both freshman races, as well. Virginia claimed both freshman titles, edging the Mids by eight-tenths of a second in the first freshman race and by 2.1 seconds in the second freshman final.

Navy will compete against Penn and Harvard for the Adams Cup next Saturday in Philadelphia.

Varsity Grand Final
Navy, 5:28.8; Virginia, 5:35.7; Georgetown, 5:40.1; Marietta, 5:40.5

Second Varsity Grand Final
Navy, 5:46.2; Temple, 5:48.0; Virginia, 5:54.7; Marietta, 5:57.4

Varsity Four Grand Final
Navy, 6:28.4; Temple, 6:34.0; Virginia, 6:39.7; Marietta, 6:48.1

Second Varsity Four Final
Navy, 6:34.0; George Washington, 6:46.3; Virginia, 6:53.0; North Carolina, 6:54.9

First Freshman Grand Final
Virginia, 5:53.8; Navy, 5:54.6; St. Joseph's, 6:07.9; Marietta, 6:11.2

Second Freshman Grand Final
Virginia, 6:01.8; Navy, 6:03.9; Delaware, 6:04.9; Georgetown, 6:14.8