Harvard heavies take Eastern Sprints :

The Harvard men’s heavyweight crew knocked off the favored University of Wisconsin by capturing its 22nd title at the Eastern Athletic Rowing Conference Regatta this past May 11 at Worcester’s Lake Quinsigamond. The Crimson rowers conquered the blustery 2000-meter course in a time of 6:04.1, besting the Badgers by a length and a half. Dartmouth finished third at 6:10.61, followed by Navy (6:15.65), Brown (6:16.2), and Rutgers (6:31.45).

The victory marked Harvard’s first Eastern Sprints crown since 1990, when it swept all three heavyweight divisions. Sunday’s win also earned Harvard the Ivy League title after the Crimson posted a perfect 6-0 dual campaign that included open-water victories over Northeastern, Navy, Pennsylvania, Princeton, M.I.T., and Brown.

In JV action, Harvard won its second straight Eastern Sprints Championship to claim its 18th title. The Crimson rallied from a length deficit to beat Princeton with a time of 6:22.4, just over four seconds ahead of the Tigers. Despite a strong showing, the freshman boat placed second behind Princeton (6:14.11) with a time of 6:20.32.

The Crimson returns to action at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta this May 30-June 1 in Camden, N.J. The heavyweights will also be preparing for the 138th Harvard-Yale Regatta, set for June 7 in New London, Conn. A victory over the Elis would guarantee Harvard its second straight undefeated dual season.

– Andrew Brooks