April 16, 2005
DERBY, CONN. -- For the second straight week, Columbia men's freshman lightweight crews turned in outstanding performances in a major regatta.
The Columbia first freshman eight won the freshman eight event in the Dodge Cup at Yale, and the second freshman four with coxswain was also victorious, in both instances leading Yale all the way. The varsity and second varsity lightweights were not as fortunate; both were third of three.
"Both freshman crews led all the way," head lightweight coach Marc DeRose said. "They never let up. They won by open water."
The first freshmen, who defeated Harvard, Delaware, and Georgetown on Mercer Lake last week, extended their record to 7-2 when they were timed in 5:51.8 for the 2000-meter Housatonic River course. Yale was second in 5:56.4, and Penn third in 6:04.0. Columbia's freshman four "A" won in 6:45.0, 7.9 seconds ahead of Yale's 6:52.9, with Columbia "B" third in 7:01. It was the first Dodge Cup victory by Columbia's first freshman eight since 1988.
The Lion varsity had finished behind five other schools in action last week. This week, DeRose said, "We performed much better in the execution of the race plan. Our race today was much closer. Still, there is room to improve."
Yale won the varsity race for the Dodge Cup in 5:57.1, two-tenths of a second faster than Penn. Columbia was third, but only 3.7 seconds behind in 6:01.0. Yale also took the second varsity race.
Columbia does double duty next weekend. On Saturday, the Lions row in the Geiger Cup against Cornell and MIT in Ithaca, while on Sunday, they travel to Worcester, Mass., to meet Dartmouth and Holy Cross on Lake Quinsigamond in the Subin Cup.
The results:
Varsity Eights -
1. Yale, 5:57.1
2. Penn, 5:57.3
3. Columbia, 6:01.0
Second Varsity Eights -
1. Yale, 5:55.1
2. Penn, 5:55.9
3. Columbia, no time
Freshman Eights -
1. Columbia, 5:51.8
2. Yale, 5:56.4
3. Penn, 6:04.0
Second Freshman Fours -
1. Columbia A, 6:45.0
2. Yale, 6:52.9
3. Columbia B, 7:01.0
