3/27/2004 - Women's Crew
Navy Women's Crew Posts Four Wins in Opening Meet
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Navy women's crew team began its spring season by winning four of five races -- including the first varsity title -- at the Murphy Cup, Saturday on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
"Today was a great way to start the season," said women's head coach Mike Hughes. "There were a lot of great signs today from all of our crews. We are not where we want to be, yet, but with today's performances I feel we are on schedule."
In the first varsity race, Navy recorded a winning time of 6:28 to outdistance second-place Villanova by five seconds. The Mids started to slowly pull away from the field and held a boat length lead on Villanova by the midpoint in the race. The Wildcats made a late run, but Navy turned a three-second lead into a six-second advantage over the closing meters.
"Over the last 25 strokes of the race we really took off," said Hughes.
The race of the day came in the second varsity contest as Navy posted a .52-second victory over St. Joseph's. After holding close to a one-length lead at 1,000-meters, the Mids not only let St. Joseph's back into the race, but also briefly surrendered the lead with about 700 meters to go. The two crews matched each other stroke-for-stroke over the final 500-meters, with the Mids holding off the Hawks at the finish.
"We were just a little stronger at the end of the race," said Hughes.
Navy's other victories on the day came from the first novice (13 seconds) and novice four (7.3 seconds) boats, with Navy's varsity four boat placing fifth.
"Both of our freshmen boats really took off fast at the start and never looked back," said Hughes.
The Mids will remain in Philadelphia overnight to compete against Penn Sunday morning on the Schuylkill.
Murphy Cup Results
First Varsity
Navy - 6:28; Villanova - 6:33; Lehigh - 6:42; St. Joseph's - 6:43.50; La Salle - 6:45.06; Temple - 6:53.79
Second Varsity
Navy - 6:55.50; St. Joseph's - 6:56.02; Villanova - 7:07.31; Temple - 7:15.71; Lehigh - 7:27.69
First Novice
Navy - 7:03; Lehigh - 7:16; St. Joseph's - 7:20; Villanova - 7:23; Temple - 7:28; American - 7:40
Varsity 4
Villanova - 7:21.51; Dowling - 7:27; Temple 'A' - 7:37; Loyola - 7:45; Navy - 7:50; Temple 'B' - 7:52
Novice 4
Navy 'B' - 7:57.62; Villanova - 8:04.9; Navy 'A' - 8:07.9; Penn State - 8:53.77; Temple - 8:58
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