Since Ivy League student-athletes are not given scholarships, the women's rowing team's edging out of Duke, Iowa and Miami at the Rivanna Romp in Charlottesville, Va., was that much sweeter for coach Michael Lane. Penn was the only non-scholarship school in the race.
"Our athletes at Penn really want to excel and perform because they are doing the sport for the pure reason to compete," Lane said.
"Losing recruits to Duke and then going out and beating them gives us a little satisfaction from a coach's standpoint."
The Quakers had three Varsity 8 teams competing in the race this weekend. Penn A finished sixth in 13.49.99 while Penn B clocked a 14:08.13 and Penn C a 15:03.14.
Although Penn cannot recruit students based on scholarships, Ivy League crew has historically been very competitive, as Brown won last year's National Championship.
Last season, Penn had its best finish since 1983, earning a No.19 national ranking. Only the top 16 squads reach the championship.
"Our goals are quite simple: qualify for the national championship and be ranked in the top 16 in the country," Lane said. "In terms of athletes, we have the best athletes I have had in my time at Penn."
The Red and Blue finished closer to Virginia yesterday than during the Princeton Chase a few weeks ago. Virginia clocked a 13:06.55 and won Sunday's race.
"The fact that we were able to race this weekend and make up for the disappointing results at the Princeton Chase was exciting," Lane said.
That positive ending to his team's season, Lane said, will hopefully propel it into a strong spring campaign.
"We are going to practice our consistency now," he said, "which will show in March, April and May when we need it to pay off."
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