Princeton University Athletics
May 01, 2015 | Heavyweight Rowing
Coming off their first loss of the season, the fourth-ranked Princeton heavyweights are looking forward to the opportunity of racing one final time before turning their full focus on Eastern Sprints.
Princeton (7-1, 4-1 Ivy) will host eighth-ranked Brown (1-4, 1-2 Ivy) Saturday morning in the 22nd annual Content Cup regatta. Though the Bears have a slight 12-9 edge in the all-time series, the Cup currently resides at the Shea Rowing Center following a 4.4-second victory over the Bears last season.
“Brown are always a very tough crew to race against,” senior Timothy Masters said. “During my time, the Content Cup has always been a hard fought race, and I expect it to be once again this upcoming Saturday.”
While it is the final tune-up for both teams prior to the Sprints regatta on May 17, it is also Princeton's first race following a loss this season. The Tigers fell in a hard-fought Carnegie Cup duel with Yale, which flipped spots with Princeton in latest national poll and now stands third.
The Bulldogs took advantage of a staggered start to grab an early lead over Princeton, and they never let the Tigers gain an advantage. It was the first race away from Lake Carnegie this season, so it was an experience they know will benefit them moving forward.
“Yale was a big test where we fell a bit short,” junior Patrick Konttinen said. “We will practice executing different parts of the race better moving forward.”
Yale is off this weekend, so it should be assured the top seed at Eastern Sprints in two weeks. A win for Princeton Saturday morning should assure the Tigers are seeded second. Brown could make a big move in seeding with a win; though the Bears' record isn't strong, each of their four losses have come to teams ranked between No. 2 and No. 7 in latest rankings.
Of course, Brown also proved last season that regular season results aren't always indicative of what postseason results will be. After the Bears lost the Content Cup at Princeton, they went on to beat the Tigers at both Sprints and IRAs. In fact, they earned silver at both events, including a brilliant run on Mercer Lake in the national championship race.
Thus, Princeton knows it has plenty of work to do to keep pace with other improving boats. Though it will be his final race on Lake Carnegie this weekend, Masters doesn't have much time for sentimentality these days. It has nothing to do with his passion for the last four years, either.
His goals this season are simply too great.
“Being part of the heavyweight crew team at Princeton has been a very challenging but rewarding experience for me personally,” Masters said. “I'd love to finish with a win on Saturday. That said, our training is all about being in the best possible shape come the Sprints and IRA.”
WEEKEND HOME RACING SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 2
Princeton Heavyweight Men vs. Brown
8:50 AM - Coxswain Meeting
9:00 AM - Fifth Varsity
9:20 AM - Fourth Varsity
9:40 AM - Third Varsity
10:00 AM - Second Varsity
10:20 AM - First Varsity, Content Cup
Princeton Lightweight Men vs. Columbia & Delaware & Mercyhurst
9:40 AM - Coxswain Meeting
10:40 AM - Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Varsity
10:55 AM - Third Varsity & First Freshmen
11:10 AM - Second Varsity
11:25 AM - First Varsity
Sunday, May 3
Princeton Open Women vs. USC
8:00 AM - Coxswain Meeting
9:00 AM - C & D Fours
9:20 AM - Second & Third Varsity
9:40 AM - A & B Fours
10:00 AM - First Varsity
