Princeton University
The Platt Cup: Cornell
Men's Lightweights Top Reigning National Champ Cornell To Retain Platt Cup, Top Ranking
April 12, 2009 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
Princeton came into Saturday's showdown on the Cayuga Inlet with both the No. 1 national ranking and possession of the Platt Cup. Cornell came in as the three-time defending national champion and the reigning Ivy League champion. The highlight showdown of the men's lightweight racing weekend went to the Tigers, who remained undefeated with an impressive victory over the Big Red in Ithaca.
Princeton won the Platt Cup for the second consecutive season with a victorious time of 6:18.7, while Cornell placed second in 6:32.9. The win is Princeton's 10th straight in the regular season, dating back to 2008.
"The varsity rowed a solid race in some heavy conditions up at Cornell," said fourth-year head coach Greg Hughes. "We haven't trained much in conditions like that and I was happy to see the guys handle it well. So far, the season has been coming along well for the team, but it's still early and we have more work to do."
Princeton dropped a pair of close races in the second varsity and novice eight. The Cornell 2V finished in 6:33.9 to top Princeton by five seconds, while the novice eight finished in 6:34.0 to top Princeton by 5.5 seconds. The Princeton 3V also fell in its race after finishing in 7:08.8.
The Princeton first varsity is now 4-0 on the season and will head to the Schuylkill River next weekend to take on Penn for The Wood-Hammond Cup.