Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Lightweight Men Sweep Penn
April 22, 2001 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
April 22, 2001
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Princeton lightweights were successful at all levels in a tune-up against the University of Pennsylvania. The varsity, second varsity, first freshmen, and second freshmen - all ranked nationally in the top 3 in their respective boat classes - each won by open water over the Quakers.
The varsity (5-1), featuring four rowers who were making a homecoming to their high school racecourse on the Schyulkill River, pulled out early off the start. The crew extended their lead to one length by the 1000 meter mark, but Penn continued to fight in the third 500 and stayed within striking distance. However, Princeton's sprint allowed it to open its lead in the final 500 meters. Princeton crossed in 6:05, five seconds ahead of Penn.
The second varsity race was decided by a much larger margin in favor of the Tigers. The Princeton crew settled into base cadence already leading by nearly a length and continued to extend their lead throughout the final 1500 meters. The second eight finished 16 seconds before Penn, covering the 2000 meter course in 6:12.6 and remaining undefeated this spring. The undefeated and top-ranked first freshmen eight cruised to its victory. The Tigers had one length off the start and extended to two lengths by the Strawberry Mansion Bridge marking 700 meters down. By the 1000 meter mark, they had their largest lead of 3 lengths and cruised to the finish to win by about the same margin. The freshmen finished in 6:16.2, outpacing the Quakers by eight seconds.
The second freshmen four defeated Penn in the first race of the day to get the ball rolling for Princeton. The boat set the tone early and won by a significant amount of open water.
Princeton competes in its final regular season race next weekend against Harvard and top-ranked Yale. The varsities will race at Mercer Lake, taking center stage as part of the Princeton World Cup regatta. The Princeton World Cup marks the first time the international regatta - usually located in Europe - has made a stop in the United States. All non-varsity boat classes will race on Lake Carnegie.
Lightweight Results