Princeton University
Murtaugh Cup: Navy w/ Columbia
Lightweights Retain Murtaugh Cup, Though Columbia Posts Impressive Win
April 05, 2015 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
Both Columbia and Princeton had a first-place vote in the most recent national poll, but Columbia was the one that handled the windy conditions best. The Lions won in 6:35.2, while Princeton finished second in 6:44.6. The 9.4-second margin of victory was greater than the total margin of victory in all four Princeton-Columbia races last season.
Princeton did retain the Murtaugh Cup for the seventh straight season, as the Navy varsity eight finished in 6:59.9.
Each team won at least one race during the day. Princeton head coach Marty Crotty spoke highly of his team's depth in the preseason, and that showed in victories for both the second and third varsity. The Princeton 2V finished in 6:40.3 for a win of nearly three seconds over Columbia. The 3V margin was even closer, as Princeton won in 6:24.6, only 2.3 seconds faster than Navy.
The depth of the Midshipmen showed at the 4V and 5V levels, as both Navy boats won there.
The regatta had originally been scheduled for the Severn River, but conditions forced it to be moved to Lake Carnegie. That pushed back the long stretch of road competitions, but that stretch will start next Saturday when Princeton heads to the Cayuga Inlet to race top-ranked Cornell Saturday morning.
Varsity Eight
Columbia 6:35.2
Princeton 6:44.6
Navy 6:59.9
Second Varsity
Princeton 6:40.3
Columbia 6:43.2
Navy 6:47.2
Third Varsity
Princeton 6:24.6
Navy 6:26.9
Columbia 6:44.1
Fourth Varsity
Navy 6:53.0
Princeton 7:09.2
Fifth Varsity
Princeton 7:16.4
Navy 7:37.2