Princeton University Athletics
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Men?s Lightweights Get Columbia Rematch During Senior Day
May 01, 2015 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
WATCH: Princeton wins the Goldthwait Cup
Winning the Goldthwait Cup is a special moment for any Princeton lightweight rower. Senior Steve Swanson hopes that it is more than just a stand-alone highlight of his final year in Orange and Black.
He hopes it's a springboard to much more.
“For me, the Goldthwait Cup race at the HYP was all about trust,” Swanson said. “The staggered start plus Yale's speed off the line meant that we were in a tight spot from the first stroke; all too often in a situation like that the rowers in the trailing boat can lose confidence in their ability to win and break under the strain. It takes a lot of mental effort for a crew to maintain poise when down by 10 feet of open water. The only way that we were able to do so was by trusting one another and trusting the plan that Marty flawlessly tailored to the race.
“From the HYP, I think we take a great deal of confidence in our ability to perform through unfavorable situations and to turn apparent disadvantages to our favor,” he added. “We still have a lot to improve before the Sprints and IRA, but winning the Goldthwait Cup was definitely a great step towards both of those races.”
The next step comes Saturday morning in Princeton's regular season finale. Though there is no Cup on the line, the Tigers will get their first opportunity at Columbia since falling to the Lions by more than nine seconds during the Murtaugh Cup regatta in early April.
Since that race, both teams have lost to top-ranked Cornell while going undefeated against the rest of the league. Columbia's loss to Cornell came last weekend and, somewhat surprisingly, dropped the Lions to No. 3 in the national poll, one spot behind Princeton.
While that poll is basically meaningless right now, and the two boats will likely be either the second or third seed at Sprints, it is an opportunity for both to claim a major momentum-building win over a top opponent two weeks before Eastern Sprints.
“We've really come together as a boat in the last month or so, adding speed and building confidence every practice,” Swanson said. “That being said, Columbia has I'm sure also been improving — I look forward to a very close race. If we can put our bowball ahead of Columbia's this Saturday we will likely secure the #2 seed at Sprints, which will both improve our heat there and bolster our confidence.
“I'll also mention that a high school boatmate of mine, David Mottola, is rowing in the 7 seat of the Columbia varsity, making this Saturday a little more interesting for me,” he added.
It will be both an interesting and special day for Swanson and the rest of the Class of 2015, which will row for the final time on their home course. Though his competitive side will be in full gear for those 2,000 meters against Columbia, Delaware and Mercyhurst, he will certainly appreciate this one among the many times on or around Lake Carnegie that have helped define his time at Princeton.
“As a walk-on freshman, I never would have guessed that I'd even stick with the program for a full year, let alone four,” Swanson said “In the intervening time, I've come to consider the boathouse my home and the team my family. My experience at Princeton has been defined by being a member of Men's Lightweight Crew: the rhythm of the days, weeks, semesters, and years has been set by the requirements of the team, much more so than by academics or by the social scene. Even during the summers, on any given Wednesday I'll wake up thinking Speed Orders; on a Friday, Weigh In, and on a Saturday, Race.”
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