NEW YORK, NY – The Rutgers lightweight crew lost to Columbia by 2.4 seconds in the varsity eight race, giving the Lions the Wit Cup April 5 on the Harlem River.

Rutgers (6:05.2), ranked 10th in the USRowing Preseason Collegiate Men’s Lightweight Eight Coaches Poll, were just edged out by Columbia (6:02.8). The Lions were tied for sixth in the USRowing Poll.

The Scarlet Knights (6:14.3) won the other race, defeating Columbia (6:24.1) in the freshmen eight. RU’s winning freshmen boat consisted of Jason Franklin (bow), Adam Noel (2), Steve McNeilly (3), Chris Kern (4), Danan Margason (5), Taylor Doyle (6), Blake Johnson (7), Ben Hale (stroke) and Aditya Bhavnani (coxswain).

The Scarlet Knights will next be in action Saturday, April 12, when Rutgers takes on Cornell and Princeton for the Platt Cup on Lake Cayuga (NY).

Wit Cup
Rutgers/Columbia Lightweight Crew
Saturday, April 5; Harlem River

Varsity
1. Columbia 6:02.8
2. Rutgers 6:05.2
3. Columbia JV 6:14.9

Freshmen
1. Rutgers 6:14.3
2. Columbia 6:24.1