Princeton Heavies Open 2019 Season Saturday vs. Georgetown

Watch Live on ESPN+

The Princeton heavyweights have long believed in culture and development, and that when those two go hand-in-hand, there is the best chance for success in the biggest races of the postseason. Head coach Greg Hughes and his staff worked hard to build that culture — and to develop both strong rowers and fast boats — as soon as he took over prior to the 2010 season, and the results have been evident over the last several years.

Hughes and the 2019 Tiger heavyweights will rely on both the culture and development this season, which opens Saturday morning on Lake Carnegie with an 8 am showdown against Georgetown on ESPN+ (see link above); that race opens the only full morning of Tiger rowing this spring, as all four teams will be in competition at Princeton.

Development will be of particular importance this season, especially with an exciting infusion of talent from an impressive Class of 2022. There are several significant shoes to fill after five rowers from either the 1V or 2V last postseason graduated, and while freshmen won't necessarily be expected to fill all of those roles — though four members of last year's freshman class helped the 2V win Sprints gold — they will be part of the talent pool that competes against each other to try and create the fastest boats possible.

And that's where the culture matters. When that competition is spirited and healthy, every boat benefits. While the 1V was edged off the Sprints medal podium in a thrilling final sprint, every other boat from the 2V through the 5V claimed either gold or silver. That's hardly the exception, as every boat between the 1V and 4V medalled at both the 2016 and 2017 Sprints. At least one 1V veteran believes the culture was apparent in the winter, when the team made significant strides.

"The winter has been filled with long hard training, and the team is in a really good spot," junior Chris Lawrie said. "It's deintely prepared us to race well this season and we're all excited to get going."

Princeton will race four times at home this season, including a showdown with Navy for the Navy-Princeton Rowing Cup next weekend, as well as later races against Ivy rivals Harvard (April 20) and Brown (May 4). All Princeton home races this season are set to stream live on ESPN+; if you are not a subscriber yet, you can do so here.

SATURDAY RACING SCHEDULE
Princeton Heavyweight Men vs. Georgetown
8:00 AM - First Varsity
8:15 AM - Second Varsity
8:30 AM - Third, Fourth & Fifth Varsity

Princeton Open Women vs. Brown & Ohio State
9:00 AM - C & B Fours
9:15 AM - Third & Fourth Varsity
9:30 AM - A Fours
9:45 AM - Second Varsity
10:00 AM - First Varsity - Class of 1987 Trophy

Princeton Lightweight Women vs. Stanford
10:15 AM - Second Varsity Fours
10:30 AM - First Varsity - Class of 2015 Cup

Princeton Lightweight Men vs. Columbia
10:45 AM - Fourth Varsity
11:00 AM - Third Varsity
11:15 AM - Second Varsity
11:30 AM - First Varsity - Campbell Cup

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