CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard men's lightweight rowing team opened its 2025 spring season in commanding fashion on Saturday, claiming victory in both regattas on the day. Racing against a strong field that included Cornell, Penn, Columbia, and Georgetown, the Crimson delivered statement performances in the 1V and 2V races.

The morning session on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia saw Harvard take on Ivy League rivals Cornell and Penn. The Crimson started strong with the first varsity eight capturing the top spot in 5:31.6, edging out Penn (5:33.0) and Cornell (5:33.6) in a tightly contested race. The second varsity eight followed suit, winning by a comfortable margin in 5:39.1 over Penn (5:44.2) and Cornell (5:47.0). The third varsity eight race went to Penn (5:43.9), with Cornell second (5:46.8) and Harvard third (5:52.7).

In the afternoon, the Crimson traveled to Overpeck Lake in Leonia, N.J., where they faced off against Columbia and Georgetown. Harvard's 1V once again led the charge, clocking in at 5:56.7, ahead of Georgetown (+4.0) and Columbia (+16.62). The 2V, coxed by Megan Ong and stroked by Matt "Lyonsanity" Lyons, followed with a win in 6:03.3, beating Columbia (+5.7) and Georgetown (+11.5). In the 3V race, Georgetown edged out Harvard by 1.3 seconds, handing the Crimson their only defeat of the afternoon.

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Results

Morning Races vs. Cornell & Penn (Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, PA)

Varsity 8

1. Harvard – 5:31.6
2. Penn – 5:33.0
3. Cornell – 5:33.6

2nd Varsity 8

1. Harvard – 5:39.1
2. Penn – 5:44.2
3. Cornell – 5:47.0

3rd Varsity 8

1. Penn – 5:43.9
2. Cornell – 5:46.8
3. Harvard – 5:52.7

Afternoon Races vs. Columbia & Georgetown (Overpeck Lake, Leonia, NJ)

Varsity 8

1. Harvard – 5:56.7
2. Georgetown – 6:00.7
3. Columbia – 6:13.32

2nd Varsity 8

1. Harvard – 6:03.3
2. Columbia – 6:09.0
3. Georgetown – 6:14.8

3rd Varsity 8

1. Georgetown – 6:14.1
2. Harvard – 6:15.4
3. Columbia – 6:18.0

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Lineups – Harvard Lightweight Rowing

First Varsity 8 (1V)
Cox – Anya Cheng
Stroke – Ben Lundie
7 – Brahm Erdmann
6 – Zarret Mills
5 – Andrew Buda
4 – Nathan Evans
3 – Charlie Rahdon
2 – Preston Darling
Bow – Kyle Sutherland

Second Varsity 8 (2V)
Cox – Megan Ong
Stroke – Matt Lyons
7 – Alberto Lasso
6 – Nathan Pappas
5 – Henry Jones
4 – Ian O'Riley
3 – David Picard
2 – Finn Crawford
Bow – Joost van Asperen

Third Varsity 8 (3V)
Cox – Ericka Lai
Stroke – Howard Huang
7 – Jack Duggan
6 – Lucas Pinsent
5 – Nikhil Ramaraju
4 – Alex Tonelli
3 – Cedar Larson
2 – Rupert Chen
Bow – Ryan Brewington