Princeton University Athletics
Top-Ranked Tiger Heavyweights Stand One Race Away From National Title
June 02, 2006 | Heavyweight Rowing
June 2, 2006
CAMDEN, N.J. - The No. 1 Princeton men's heavyweight first varsity has made statement after statement during the 2005-06 crew season. From the Head of the Charles win to a rare win at Harvard and an Eastern title, Princeton has aced each test it has taken. There is one test remaining, and if Princeton pulls out one more ace (Saturday at 2 p.m.), the Tigers will cap a perfect season with a national title.
The first varsity won its semifinal heat in a time of 5:43.1, while Washington and Brown also qualified for Saturday's grand final. From the first semifinal, Yale, Harvard and No. 2 California qualified for the final, and a rare seventh crew will be added Saturday morning. Syracuse protested its semifinal race and will compete for the seventh spot in a head-to-head showdown with Northeastern early Saturday morning.
Princeton has already beaten the three Ivy crews in the grand final, including defending IRA champion Harvard. California enters the weekend as the top crew from the West and the nation's No. 2 seed, while Washington typically brings a strong squad to IRAs.
The 2 p.m. race will conclude a full day of heavyweight racing. Princeton will send two more eights to a final, including one in a grand final. The second varsity was edged out and will be a strong contender in its petite final. The Tiger novice boat did qualify for a grand final by finishing its semifinal in 5:55.73, nearly eight full seconds ahead of petite-qualifier Cornell.
A variety of 2s and 4s will also compete Saturday. To see all of Friday's times and Saturday's lane draws (when available), click here.
Both lightweight crews will also look for a national title Saturday. The women's lightweights have already qualified for the final, which will take place around 2:20. The men's lightweights will need to finish in the top three of its semifinal heat. If it does, it will compete for a national title in the final race of the day. That is scheduled to happen around 2:50.