Navy Women’s Rowing Competes at Lake Wheeler Invitational

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Navy women’s rowing team participated in the 2025 Lake Wheeler Invitational, showcasing their skills in a series of intense races against several ranked rivals and Power 4 conference teams. This event serves as a crucial opportunity for the team to refine their lineups and strategies in anticipation of the upcoming Patriot League Championship scheduled for three weeks from now.

Race Overview

On the opening day of the invitational, Navy fielded four boats and raced in eight different competitions, with each crew participating in two sessions. The afternoon sessions reflected noticeable improvements for three of Navy’s four crews, including a commendable runner-up finish in the first varsity four category and a strong third place for the first varsity eight.

Morning Session Results

The Mids began their day against a formidable field, including ranked teams such as No. 12 Virginia and No. 20 Columbia. The first varsity eight crew faced intense competition, pushing hard alongside Miami and Gonzaga. Ultimately, they secured fifth place with a time of 6:44.512, finishing strongly and arriving just ahead of Kansas (6:48.408).

First Varsity Eight – Morning Session Results

• Virginia: 6:23.450
• Columbia: 6:30.102
• Miami: 6:34.920
• Gonzaga: 6:34.938
• Navy: 6:44.512
• Kansas: 6:48.408

Afternoon Session Highlights

During the afternoon, Navy’s first varsity eight made notable strides, finishing just 7.464 seconds behind first-place Clemson, clocking in at 6:45.627. This performance placed them firmly above Louisville, Boston College, and Villanova.

First Varsity Eight – Afternoon Session Results

• Clemson: 6:38.163
• Gonzaga: 6:40.447
• Navy: 6:45.627
• Louisville: 6:49.081
• Boston College: 6:53.991
• Villanova: 6:56.351

Second Varsity Eight Performance

Navy’s second varsity eight demonstrated consistent improvement, jumping to fourth place after shaving nearly two seconds off their previous time. In an incredibly tight race, Navy narrowly missed third place, finishing just behind Louisville.

Second Varsity Eight – Combined Results

• Session 1 – Heat 2: 6:55.292
• Session 2 – Heat 1: 6:53.320

First Varsity Four Achievements

The standout performance of the day came from Navy’s first varsity four, who excelled in both sessions. They finished the morning session in fourth place and improved to second in the afternoon, cutting their time significantly.

First Varsity Four – Results

• Session 1 – Heat 2: 7:32.634 (Fourth Place)
• Session 2 – Heat 1: 7:30.189 (Second Place)

Final Boat Performance: Second Varsity Four

The second varsity four group faced challenges throughout the day, finishing in fifth place across both sessions. Despite the gaps to the leaders, they demonstrated resilience as they prepared for the final day of racing.

Second Varsity Four – Results

• Session 1 – Heat 2: 7:55.163 (Fifth Place)
• Session 2 – Heat 1: 8:00.758 (Fifth Place)

Looking Ahead

The Navy women’s rowing team looks forward to the concluding day of the Lake Wheeler Invitational, scheduled for Saturday morning. The final series of races will commence at 9:40 a.m., with the second varsity four crew leading the charge.