Heavyweight Men Ready To Move Past '09, Challenge Ivy Elite

If you thought the disappointing 2009 racing season might linger into 2010 for the Princeton heavyweight crew, you weren't around much in the offseason. New head coach Greg Hughes and a pair of senior rowers, including captain Michael Gilson, discuss a highly productive offseason and the positive energy at Princeton as the team heads into this weekend's season opener on Lake Carnegie.

Princeton struggled in 2009, losing its last six races and failing to make a grand final in either the EARC or IRA championships. Then a legend in Princeton rowing, Curtis Jordan, retired as the heavyweight coach. It all had the makings of a brutal start to the offseason, but that wouldn't be the case.

While the Princeton athletic department began a national search for Jordan's replacement, the returning members of the Tiger crew challenged themselves to push even harder in the offseason. The eight-member rising senior class led the way, while a talented Class of 2012 prepared for its first chance at the top varsity boat.

When it was announced that the national search centered on an office only footsteps away from Jordan's space, the rowers knew they would be in good hands. After leading the Princeton lightweights to wins at the EARC, IRA and Henley championships, Hughes was moving back to the heavyweight program to take over as head coach. Hughes was a former assistant under Jordan and led the 2003 novice boat to a victory at the Henley Royal Regatta.

"When I heard Greg was taking over, I was really excited," Gilson said. "I think Greg has done a great job so far this year, and I'm looking forward to going into the season."

While Hughes was focused on his own crew last season, the four rowing programs at Princeton are extremely close. Thus, Hughes had already developed a relationship with the heavyweights and was looking forward to helping bring the program back into the Ivy and national elite. So far, he has been impressed with the work ethic.

"We've made a lot of good progress," Hughes said. "I think we have a good base to work with. Everybody has improved a lot on the erg, and we've gotten some good water time."

The results of that hard work will begin to show Saturday morning, when Princeton hosts Georgetown at 9 a.m. Tiger fans will only have two opportunities to see their squad on Lake Carnegie; following Saturday, Princeton will race in three straight road regattas before returning home to take on Brown for The Content Cup.

By then, Hughes should have a better idea of his lineup, which he sees as a deep, open competition right now. From a strong batch of sophomores through the experienced seniors, Hughes is ready to give everybody a chance to be there on May 16 when Princeton heads to Worcester, Mass., for the 2010 EARC Championships.

SATURDAY RACING SCHEDULE

Princeton Heavyweight Men vs. Georgetown
9:00 AM - First Varsity
9:15 AM - First Freshmen
9:30 AM - Second Varsity/Third Varsity

Princeton Lightweight Men vs. Georgetown & Columbia (The Fosburgh Cup)
10:00 AM - Third Varsity 4+
10:15 AM - Second Freshmen
10:30 AM - First Freshmen
10:45 AM - Second Varsity
11:00 AM - First Varsity

Princeton Open Women vs. Rutgers & Columbia
11:15 AM - Varsity 4+ B
11:30 AM - Third Varsity
11:45 AM - Varsity 4+ A
12:00 PM - Second Varsity
12:15 PM - First Varsity

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