Last weekend, three of Princeton’s four crews opened their seasons, each delivering a strong performance. The men’s lightweights journeyed to Annapolis, Md., to trump the Naval Academy in the first and second varsity eight races. The women’s lightweight team stayed at home at Lake Carnegie to steal victories over Philadelphia University and MIT. The women’s openweight team, also at Lake Carnegie, edged out Brown and Ohio State to claim victory in the first varsity eight race.
The men’s lightweight team had a large act to follow in its season opener. The winner of last May’s Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges Sprints, the men’s lights had won their last 13 season regattas. Last Saturday, the Tigers’ 2010 team continued that streak, once again claiming the weekend’s Joe Murtaugh trophy.
The Tigers safely finished first in the day’s fastest race when the first varsity eight-man team provided a solid seven-second victory over its Navy counterpart. Princeton broke the six-minute mark with a time of 5 minutes and 58.7 seconds.
The second varsity eight race proved to be the day’s most nail-biting. Both closing in on a 6:10 time, the Princeton and Navy teams finished with only a 0.8 second discrepancy. Down to the wire, the Tigers pulled through for the victory, hitting the clock at exactly 6:10.0.
In the men’s lights’ third varsity race, Princeton only fielded one team to compete with Annapolis’ two. The Tigers lost to Navy’s third team by a close two-second margin, but finished 10 seconds ahead of Navy’s fourth team.
Also coming off of a strong 2009 season, the women’s lights provided strong races throughout the day.
The varsity eight race went safely to the Tigers, who finished a full 12 seconds ahead of their closest competition, Philadelphia, and 16 seconds ahead of MIT. The women’s lights’ fastest team boasted a time of 7:05.2 with an 8-10 mph quartering headwind.
The second varsity race, from which Philadelphia was absent, brought another Princeton victory. The Tigers finished at 7:41.8, more than six seconds ahead of MIT.
The third race of the day saw a comeback by Philadelphia, which took first well ahead of its competition. Princeton trailed behind MIT to finish in third. Nonetheless, having won the two key races, the day went to the Tigers.
Like the other crew teams, the women’s openweights have to live up to a successful tradition. After finishing sixth at last May’s NCAA finals, the Tigers were ranked eighth coming into this weekend’s competitions, gambling their seat against No. 5 Brown and No. 10 Ohio State.
Victories were evenly spread across the board on Saturday, with each school being able to claim a win in one of the races. Princeton pulled ahead where it counted, however, to take the weekend’s Class of 1987 Oar Award.
The first varsity eight race was a tight contest between Princeton and Brown, but the Tigers came out on top with a time of 6:38.6, three seconds ahead of the Bears. The Buckeyes trailed in third.
Brown’s fortune switched in the second varsity eight race when it finished three seconds ahead of Princeton and 11 ahead of Ohio State. The Buckeyes had a turn at glory in the day’s first varsity four race. Though the race was tightly fought — the three teams finished within three seconds of each other — Princeton landed in third.
Brown also finished first in the third and fourth varsity eight races. Princeton did not compete in the latter.
Three of the Tigers’ crews will be competing this Saturday at Lake Carnegie. The men’s heavyweights, absent from last weekend’s competitions, will be opening their season against Georgetown. The men’s lights hope to keep their momentum from Annapolis as they race Georgetown and Columbia. The women’s open team will also be racing Columbia, joined by Rutgers for a morning race. The women’s lights will not be competing this weekend but will return on April 10 to race Stanford and Wisconsin in Redwood City, Calif.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.