Both the Princeton and Wisconsin women's lightweights were unbeaten in 2007 heading into Sunday's Eastern Sprints at Cooper River, but they had yet to face each other. Round one, and the Eastern crown, went to Wisconsin, which won by less than three seconds in the grand final. The Tigers, who claimed a gold in the second varsity race, will get another chance at the IRA national championships.

At the EAWRC championships in Camden, N.J., the top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers finished first in the varsity eight final in a time of 7:01.50, while the Tigers placed second in 7:04.13. The bronze medal went to Georgetown (7:07.53), which knocked off Radcliffe by nearly seven seconds. For Princeton, it was a return to the medal stand after a brief one-year hiatus away from it.

Princeton dominated the second varsity field, winning the gold by nearly 20 full seconds in the first Eastern 2V final ever. The Tigers finished in 7:12.94, while second-place Radcliffe finished in 7:32.41. The Tiger novice crew (7:30.74) finished behind Radcliffe and Wisconsin for a bronze medal.

The Tigers will return to Cooper River in three weeks to compete for the national title at the IRA regatta.