Men's Lights Will Compete For Wood-Hammond Trophy, Honor Seniors Saturday On Lake Carnegie

Saturday, April 21

Princeton, N.J.

10:20 AM

Princeton University

Penn (The Wood-Hammond Trophy)

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

Men's Lights Will Compete For Wood-Hammond Trophy, Honor Seniors Saturday On Lake Carnegie

April 19, 2018 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight

LINK: Live Video Stream

Senior captain Patrick Watt will lead the Princeton men's lightweight rowing team to Lake Carnegie this weekend for the annual Wood-Hammond Trophy regatta against both Penn and Georgetown. The Tigers, coming off a thrilling victory over Cornell for both the Platt Cup and the Harriet Trophy, will try to build off its momentum heading into H-Y-P weekend.

Watt has been impressed with the way his team has handled a challenging early-season schedule, from two races on opening day to a narrow road loss at Columbia, and through to a record-setting performance against Cornell.

"I've been pleased with the team's mental resilience in the face of adversity," Watt said. "In spite of a couple of tough results and some injury trouble the guys show up every day determined to get faster. Moving forward the group is committed to maintaining a positive attitude and prioritizing team results so we can win the Jope Cup at Eastern Sprints."

Princeton's top three boats have combined for a 15-4 record so far this season, a positive sign heading into the homestretch of the season. Watt was in the 2V that dropped a tight race to the Big Red last weekend, but he believes that the team can grow from the result, especially from a missed opportunity during the second half of the race.

"The crew was disappointed with our result because we felt we had the opportunity to win the race with a four-seat lead around the thousand but we failed to press our advantage when it mattered most," he said. "What we can learn from our result is that they're all 2000-meter races and we can't afford to have any weak points if we want to lead the field at Eastern Sprints."

Saturday morning will belong to the lightweights on Lake Carnegie, starting with a women's showdown against Georgetown for the Class of 1999 Cup at 9 am. The men's regatta will begin at 10:15 with a 4V race, and will continue with races every 15 minutes, including the Wood-Hammond Trophy showdown at 11 am. Princeton has won 12 in a row in this rivalry and leads the all-time series 62-12, but Penn is coming off a runner-up finish at the 2017 IRA Championships.

Princeton will also be honoring a deep, strong senior class on Saturday, which will mark their final home race on Lake Carnegie. Not that Watt and his teammates needed motivation for the races, but getting one more home win would be a fitting conclusion to their Carnegie careers.

"Rowing for Princeton University has been an honor and a privilege, and the Class of 2018 will always be thankful to the program for allowing us to be a part of something really special," Watt said. "Overall this weekend is just like any other but the Seniors would like nothing more than to end our careers on Carnegie with a win."

Princeton's Class of 2018 includes Marley Brackett, James Goble, Trevor Henningson, Blake Lange, Charles Miller, Henry Ogilby, Bernardo Pacini, Ryan Pristo, Charlie Ramirez, Andrew Salmons, Jesus Serrano Cendejas, Harrison Shure, James Sincavage, Tyler Valicenti, and captain Patrick Watt.

Princeton Lightweight Women vs. Georgetown
9:00 AM - First Varsity – Class of 2006 Cup
9:15 AM - Varsity Four
9:30 AM - Double
9:45 AM - Third Varsity

Princeton Lightweight Men vs. Penn & Georgetown
10:15 AM - Fourth Varsity
10:30 AM - Third Varsity
10:45 AM - Second Varsity
11:00 AM - First Varsity - Wood-Hammond Trophy
11:15 AM - Fifth Varsity