Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Reigning Champ Men's Lightweights Open Season Saturday
March 24, 2010 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
After arguably the greatest year in the proud tradition of Princeton men's lightweight crew, the 2010 team is ready to try and make another run at postseason success.
As is the nature of college athletics, several members of the 2009 EARC, IRA national and Henley Royal Regatta champion Princeton Tigers graduated last summer, but a group of talented competitors have risen to compete for open spots in the varsity eight. Another newcomer to the program is head coach Marty Crotty, who took over when Greg Hughes became the heavyweight rowing coach.
"He is all about passion," said senior Brian Kenney. "If you're in there and he has his eyes on you, you are supposed to bring the passion he wants out of you. Every day is intense. Every day has a purpose."
Crotty, the former heavyweight novice coach, has been more than pleased with the passion and intensity he has seen from his squad.
"I think we've been doing great," Crotty said. "I think every guy, by an objective measure, has been improving. The attitude is good. I feel good about where we are this spring."
Princeton still has four members of its championship crew: Robin Prendes, Jack Leonard, James Donovan and Christian Klein. Leonard is one of the senior leaders on the crew and has been impressed with the work of his younger teammates, especially the members of last year's novice boat.
"The sophomores are stepping up," Leonard said. "I think the freshmen are as well, but the sophomore class is a strong one, and it's good to see them stepping up."
Of course, as is the challenge of being the top team, each of Princeton's opponents will be stepping up this season to offer its best challenge to the reigning national champion. Starting this weekend with The Joe Murtaugh Cup regatta at Navy, Princeton will face the best teams in the East well before it heads to Worcester, Mass., on May 16 for the EARC Championships.
Between its trips to Annapolis and Worcester will be four regattas, and each will be held on Lake Carnegie. The home schedule opens April 3 against Georgetown and Columbia and will conclude with the annual H-Y-P showdown in The Goldthwait and Vogel Cups regatta on May 1.