10/24/2002 - Men's Lightweight Crew
Crew Teams Off to Philly

The Navy crew programs will travel to Philadelphia Saturday for the second time in three weeks when the Midshipmen take part in the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta on the Schuylkill River.

The three programs had successful visits to Philadelphia Oct. 12 when Navy competed in the Navy Day Regatta. The heavyweight team won both the varsity and junior varsity eight events, the lightweights won its varsity eight race and the women's squad saw its eight-person boat place sixth.

As with the Navy Day Regatta, the Mids will face crews from throughout the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions, including Pennsylvania, Rutgers and Syracuse.

"It's a difficult course," said Navy women's coach Mike Hughes. "You go upstream on the river and if it is raining it quickly becomes a long race."

The women's team is continuing its emphasis on training the smaller boats in preparation for the upcoming spring championship season.

"Some of our top people will be in the pairs and in the four-person boats this weekend," said Hughes. "We have worked on small-boat training throughout the fall and I feel we are making great progress. It will definitely be a boost for us during the spring."

In addition to Saturday's Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, the Navy lightweight team will also participate in the Princeton Chase, Sunday in Princeton, N.J.