Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks down Lafayette to claim River Cup
4/16/2011 6:49:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Led by a strong showing in the Women's Varsity Eight, the Lehigh rowing team defeated Lafayette on Saturday to retain a hold of the River Cup. After splitting the two Varsity Eight races, Lehigh went on to four more first-place finishes to take the overall River Cup by a 35-26 margin.“The Women's Varsity Eight stood out the most today,” said Lehigh head coach Brian Conley. “Lafayette jumped out to a big lead at the start, but we kept our focus on the race plan, which we've had difficulty doing lately. It's the most aggressive I've seen that crew.”
In the end, both Lehigh's Varsity and Second Varsity crews finished ahead of Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks' first crew came in at 6:28.60 while the Second Varsity was next (6:39.90) followed by Lafayette just under two seconds later (6:41.70).
“Second Varsity showed a lot of tenacity in coming from behind,” said Conley. “They never gave up, which is the attitude we're trying to instill.”
The Mountain Hawks also went on to win the Men's Freshmen Eight (5:44.30), Women's Freshmen Eight (6:56.99), Women's Varsity Four (7:19.50) and Men's Lightweight Four (6:36.80).
“Today was really exciting,” said Conley. “The varsity women started the day off strong. It was disappointing on the men's side [to lose the Varsity Eight], but overall, when you're able to walk away with the River Cup, it's always a good day.”
Lehigh also improved to 25-4 against Lafayette this calendar year across all sports.
“Competing on your home course puts more into the race,” said Conley “Then having it be against Lafayette definitely adds more to the significance of today's win.”
The Lehigh women now look ahead to the Patriot League Championships set for next Sunday (Apr. 24) on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. Both the men and women will then compete in the Dad Vail Regatta from May 13-14 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Women's Varsity Eight
1. Lehigh - 6:28.60
2. Lehigh (2V) - 6:39.90
3. Lafayette - 6:41.70
Men's Varsity Eight
1. Lafayette - 5:30.73
2. Lehigh - 5:36.18
Men's Freshmen Eight
1. Lehigh - 5:44.30
2. Lafayette - 5:59.60
Women's Freshmen Eight
1. Lehigh - 6:56.99
2. Lafayette - 7:21.01
Women's Varsity Four
1. Lehigh - 7:19.50
2. Lafayette (A) - 7:36.00
3. Lafayette (B) - 7:36.90
Men's Varsity Four
1. Lafayette - 6:18.46
2. Lehigh (A) - 6:21.83
3. Lehigh (B) - 6:42.39
Men's Lightweight Four
1. Lehigh - 6:36.80
2. Lafayette - 6:59.20
Women's Freshmen Four
1. Lafayette (A) - 7:47.15
2. Lehigh - 8:22.33
3. Lafayette (B) - 8:41.51
Men's Freshmen Four
1. Lafayette (A) - 6:34.80
2. Lehigh - 6:57.60
3. Lafayette (B) - 7:31.10
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