March 21, 2012

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's rowing team has been selected second in the Patriot League preseason poll. Last year's champion, Bucknell, took the top spot in the preseason poll and earned 10 first-place votes. The poll, released by the conference office on Wednesday, is voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information contacts.

Bucknell earned 50 points in the poll, while Navy finished second with 40 points, earning a first-place vote. Colgate was third with 31 points, and Holy Cross (26), MIT (23) and Lehigh (10) rounded out the poll. MIT also received a first-place vote.

The Mids' varsity four boat won the Patriot League title last season for the third time in the past four years. Navy, which finished second in 2011, last captured the Patriot League title in 2005, and has won at least one race at five of the seven Patriot League Championships.

The 2012 Patriot League Rowing Championships will be held on April 29 at Cooper River Park in Camden County, N.J.

Navy will open the 2012 season this Saturday when it travels to Philadelphia, Pa., for the Murphy Cup Regatta.

2012 Patriot League Rowing Preseason Poll

1. Bucknell 50 (10)
2. Navy 40 (1)
3. Colgate 31
4. Holy Cross 26
5. MIT 23 (1)
6. Lehigh 10