Penn struggles at Adams Cup

The historic Adams Cup has been contested since 1931 -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt once attended -- and this past weekend, the most recent edition was held in Annapolis, Md.

The result on Saturday was a defeat, however, as the men's heavyweight rowers fell to Harvard and Navy. Harvard finished first with a time of 6:08.4, while Penn finished just over a second behind Navy, with a time of 6:20.9.

"Navy got off the starting line much more aggressively than we did," senior captain Nate Allen said. "We spent the rest of the race picking up speed and trying to get our bow in front of theirs, but ended up falling short."

The loss marked Penn coach Stan Bergman's final Adams Cup.

"After the racing, Navy head coach Rick Clothier paid tribute to Coach Bergman," Allen said. "His words were echoed by Harvard coach Harry Parker, and Coach Bergman received a standing ovation from all three crews."

The Quakers return to action in the Burk Cup on May 6, when they host Northeastern.

The women's rowing team hosted Princeton and Dartmouth in the Award Plaque on Saturday. Princeton won with a time of 6:18.3, while Penn fell behind Dartmouth, clocking a 6:51.4 finish.

"We knew that Princeton and Dartmouth were going to be very fast," Penn coach Barb Grudt said. "Our race plan was to row within ourselves."

Penn's varsity four finished second behind Princeton and ahead of Dartmouth, recording a time of 7:35.3.

The Quakers will focus on relaxing for EAWRC Sprints on May 14.

"The varsity eight has lots of pressure to succeed," Grudt said. "The lesson we learned was that we need to relax and have fun. We need to go out with a different attitude."

After beating Princeton for the first time in 26 years last season, lightweight crew was looking for another win at the Wood-Hammond Cup at Princeton, N.J. Although the Tigers regained the cup, the Quakers defeated Georgetown.

Princeton's varsity eight recorded a 6:09.7 finish, with the Red and Blue finishing in 6:15.2.

The Quakers do not race again until May 14, when they host Navy in the Callow Cup.

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