CREW REPORT PRESENTED BY HEAD COACH MATT PREVITS '97.

The Wildcat Navy has safely returned from the trip to the 85th annual SRAA National Championships in Camden, NJ.

The team qualified raced the Varsity single (1x), Varsity 155lb double (2x), Junior four (4+), Junior eight (8+) and Varsity 155lb (8+).

The Varsity 155lb 8+ advanced through the heats and semifinals into the Grand Final on Sunday, where they earned a 6th place finish.

The Junior 8+, comprised of five sophomore and three junior oarsmen, clocked the fastest time in both the heats and semifinals on a path to the Grand Final. Lining up alongside the Blue and Gold were Pine Crest (Florida), Chaminade (Long Island, NY), Canisius (Buffalo, NY), Saint Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, PA) and Washington-Lee (Virginia).

The Wildcats and Hawks from Saint Joe's Prep exchanged strokes for the length of course, with the lead changing hands several times and the margin between the two crews was no more than a few feet. As the mile long race closed to the last 100 meters, the race remained in question as both crews strained for the finish line.

As the crews blasted across the line, no one on shore knew as the race was a true photo finish.

After reviewing the finish line film and cameras, the 1-mile race was decided by less than 3 inches. The Blue and Gold finished second to the Hawks by 0.05 seconds, or 1/2 of 1/10 of a second.

Congratulations to the lads on a silver medal performance - closing out a phenomenal season.