Crews Get Ready for Eastern Sprints

Navy Rowing Teams to Compete at Eastern Sprints Championship Sunday

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy crew teams will each be taking part in their respective Eastern Sprints Championship this coming Sunday. The two men's team will travel to Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass., for their event, while the women's team will be competing on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

The first varsity boat for the women's team is seeded eighth in a field of 16 at its championship, with the second varsity crew seeded 10th in its flight. Navy placed 13th overall in the varsity division last year, with its second varsity crew placing sixth. The latter crew became the initial varsity eight boat in school history to advance to the grand final at the Eastern Sprints.

In addition to the varsity seeding, Navy's freshman eight and varsity four boats are both seeded seventh.

"The Eastern Sprints is one of the most prestigious rowing leagues in the country," said Navy women's head coach Mike Hughes. "Representatives from our league have won about half of the NCAA Championship titles and always place at least one boat among the medalists at the national event.

"Our varsity seeding is one of the best we have ever had, so we are very happy about that. Our main goal is to advance to the grand final, which we can do by placing first or second in our heat."

Navy's heavyweight team placed 11th as a program in the team points standing at the 2006 Eastern Sprints Championship, with the varsity crew placing ninth and the second varsity boat placing 10th. Those two crews are both seeded eighth in their respective flights this year, with the third varsity boat seeded ninth and the two freshman crews seeded 10th and fifth, respectively.

"Our heats are tough," said Navy heavyweight coach Rick Clothier. "I believe we will be completely prepared and probably in our best health of the year, so far."

Navy's lightweight squad enters the 2007 Eastern Sprints as the defending team points champion for the first time in program history. The Mids placed first or second in each of the five divisions last year to win the Jope Cup for the first time.

Navy's varsity eight boats are seeded sixth, fourth and second, respectively, at this year's championship, while its two freshman crews are seeded second and first.