Courtesy: Princeton Athletic CommunicationsCollegiate rowing's most historic trophy, the Child's Cup, has gone to the winner of the Columbia-Princeton-Penn men's heavyweight rowing regatta every year since 1879. The tenth-ranked Columbia Lions ended a long Tiger run on top by overcoming tough weather conditions and defeating Princeton by nearly nine seconds.
Conditions on Lake Carnegie may not have been ideal (strong direct headwind, steady rain, temperatures in the 40s), but Columbia managed to defeat both the eighth-ranked Tigers and Penn by open water. Columbia won the first varsity race in 6:20.8, while the seventh-ranked Princeton squad finished in 6:29.6. Penn placed third in 6:33.7.
While Princeton may not have won the major race, it was far from a lost day. Princeton swept the other two races, including strong performances from both the second and third varsity boats. In the second varsity race, the Princeton 2V won in 6:25.3, while the 3V took second overall in 6:33.1. Penn placed third in 6:36.6, while Columbia finished fourth in 6:46.7.
The freshman eight also continued its strong season by winning the frosh race in 6:44.1, while Penn placed second in 6:55.4.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for Princeton, which will take on a strong Harvard squad next weekend in the annual Compton Cup competition on Lake Carnegie.
