CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 1 Harvard heavyweight crew earned its fourth-straight Stein Cup Saturday with an open water win over Brown in the varsity eight race on the Seekonk River.

With a slack tide and a cross headwind, the Crimson and Bears were close at the start before Harvard gained a one-seat advantage at the 500m mark. By the halfway mark, Harvard increased its lead to three season before taking a full length advantage at 1,500 meters. Harvard clocked a time of 5:46.3, as Brown finished in 5:51.2.

Harvard also earned a win in the freshman eight race, getting out to a strong start and holding on to best the Bears by nearly six seconds. The Crimson finished in 6:02.6, while Brown put up a time of 6:08.5.

In the closest event of the day, Harvard (6:02.4) was just edged out by Brown who finished with a time of 6:01.5. The Bears earned a strong start, gaining a full length past the 500m point. Harvard continued to work, gaining a few seats back the midway mark and making a strong surge over the last 200 meters, but the Crimson could not overcome the Bears.  

The fourth varsity also proved to be a close contest. Brown used a strong start to hold off a surging Crimson for most of the race, finishing in 6:30.4. Harvard was not far behind, crossing in 6:36.2.

Harvard will open its home campaign next weekend against Princeton and MIT. The Crimson is vying for its 62^nd Compton Cup and eighth-straight varsity eight win. 

Boatings
First Varsity
Bow: Peter Scholle; 2: James Medway; 3: Andrew Reed; 4: Rory Glover; 5: Vincent Breet; 6: Max Meyer Bosse; 7: Charlie Risbey; 8: Andy Holmes; Coxswain: Will Hakim 

Second Varsity
Bow: James Croxford; 2: Craig Slater; 3: Jay Ditmarsch; 4: Andrew Emmett; 5: Adam Janes; 6: Ben Lynton; 7: Josh Bernstein; 8: Greg Edwards; Coxswain: Brittanie Maxwell 

Third Varsity
Bow: Alex Urchurtu; 2: Nick Jaroszewicz; 3: Eric Slater; 4: James Green; 5: Stefano Belfiore; 6: Achim Harzheim; 7: Jonathan Young; 8: JP Hogan; Coxswain Jack Smith 

Fourth Varsity
Bow: Aurelio Muzaurieta; 2: Phil Bates; 3: Nick Gavin; 4: Pat Dowling; 5: James Bollinger; 6: Peter Lehner; 7: Rob Ledniczky; 8: Rob Rasmussen; Coxswain: Jessi Izhakoff 

First Freshman
Bow: Ross Jarvis; 2: Sean Vedrinelle; 3: Morgan Bean; 4: Juri-Mikk Udam; 5: James Johnston; 6: Henry Kennelly; 7: Matt Carter; 8: Chase Buchholz; Coxswain: Joel Bateman 

Second Freshman
Bow: Sam Green; 2: Mounir Jamal; 3: Michael Yuan; 4: Jake Stepansky; 5: James Zatsiorsky; 6: Tim McNamara; 7: Will Sack; Stroke: James Bollinger; Cox: Tina Murphy

Results
First Varsity:
Harvard - 5:46.3
Brown - 5:51.2 

Second Varsity 8:
Brown - 6:01.5
Harvard - 6:02.4 

Third Varsity:
Brown - 6:28.0
Harvard - 6:48.1

Freshman 8:
Harvard - 6:02.6
Brown - 6:08.5 

Second Freshman:
Brown - 6:42.4
Harvard - 7:12.7