Princeton University
The Eisenberg Cup: Yale & Virginia
Players Mentioned
Open Women Knock Off No. 1 Virginia, Ivy Champ Yale For Eisenberg Cup
April 17, 2010 | Women's Rowing - Open
COMPLETE RESULTS, COURTESY OF ROW2K.COM
Lori Dauphiny might not have known exactly how her Princeton open crew would fare in 2010, but she felt very good about the team in the preseason. Not even the most optimistic of coaches could have likely predicted just how strong this team would be, though; the sixth-ranked Tigers knocked off two top-four teams, including No. 1 Virginia, in the annual Eisenberg Cup regatta.
Princeton was 6-0 and ranked sixth heading into its home regatta, but it made easily its biggest statement of the season Saturday morning. Princeton regained the Eisenberg Cup for the first time since 2006 by sweeping Virginia and Yale in the first varsity race. The Tigers, now 8-0 on the season, won the race in 6:23.5, while Virginia finished second in 6:27.4. Yale, the reigning EAWRC champion and a two-time national champion over the last three years, placed third in 6:30.3.
"The rowers were really proud and excited at the end of race," Dauphiny said. "I was very excited too. It was a bit of a blur in the moment, but it was a really fun race to watch. I'm very proud of what they did.
"Yale and Virginia are both impressive, strong programs," she said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for both of them, and I know they'll continue to get faster. But we plan on getting faster as well."
Princeton grabbed an early lead in the Eisenberg Cup showdown, but nothing insurmountable at the start. Both Virginia and Yale made surges throughout the race, but the Tigers were able to match each one and maintain an advantage. With a trio of freshmen and four juniors in the varsity boat, Dauphiny knows that the potential is there to go even faster down the road.
And while the youth of the overall program is exciting, Dauphiny is quick to point out the efforts of the senior class in helping Princeton to its strong start. Co-captains Ariel Frost and Sara Hendershot are the lone seniors in the varsity boat, but they are the coxswain and stroke, respectively. The entire senior class has helped produce one of Princeton's overall deepest teams in years. That depth was shown with an impressive win in the second varsity race; Princeton finished in 6:45.6 to defeat Yale by more than nine seconds and Virginia by more than 14 seconds.
"The team as a whole has really stepped up this year," Dauphiny said. "They are a huge part of the success of our team. For the first time in a long time, the whole team is pushing each other through the ranks. Our four had a really good race, and the 3V probably had the toughest race of the morning."
The varsity four finished in 7:41.6, fast enough to defeat Yale but not enough against Virginia, which won in 7:34.4. The Princeton third varsity finished in 7:37.5, behind both Virginia and Yale.
Princeton won't have long to celebrate its victory, as Penn, Dartmouth and Bucknell will make their way to Lake Carnegie next weekend to compete in The Class of 1984 Cup regatta.