PRINCETON, N.J. – The University of Pennsylvania men's lightweight crews got off to a good start at the season-opening National College Lightweight Invitational on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a trio of races against Dartmouth. MIT was also in the races in the 1V8 and 2V8.

Penn Boatings (PDF)
 
Varsity Eight – SATURDAY
The last race of the afternoon was easily the most exciting. Penn got out to an early lead but could never shake the Big Green or MIT, the three boats staying within each other across the entire 2,000. Dartmouth made a move in the final 500 but the Quakers were able to hold them off for the victory.
  Penn 5:45.9
  Dartmouth 5:47.2
  MIT 5:50.5
 
Second Varsity Eight - SATURDAY
The Quakers used another fast start in this race and had open water on the Big Green before the 500 mark. They just kept opening it up from there while Dartmouth and MIT battled through the middle 1000 for second place. Eventually the Green secured second.
  Penn 6:00.8
  Dartmouth 6:13.0
  MIT 6:15.4
 
Third/Fourth Varsity Eights – SATURDAY
In the first race of the day, Penn's 3V8 blew out to a big lead right from the jump and never let it go in cruising to the victory. The Quakers' 4V8 also got open water on the Big Green and took second in the three-boat race.
  Penn 3V8 6:04.9
  Penn 4V8 6:20.7
  Dartmouth 6:34.5
 
First/Second Varsity Eights – SUNDAY
The final race of the weekend saw the Quakers' top two boats easily best Mercyhurst.
  Penn 1V8 5:56.5
  Penn 2V8 6:05.7
  Mercyhurst 6:28.0
 
Third Varsity Eight – SUNDAY
Another great race here between the Quakers, Big Red and Midshipmen. Penn got out to an early lead and was able to hold it, but the top three boats were never really separated and crossed the line within five seconds of each other.
  Penn 6:08.5
  Cornell 6:10.5
  Navy 6:13.1
  Columbia 6:32.2
 
Fourth Varsity Eight – SUNDAY
The first race of the day on Sunday was a good one. Navy got out in the opening 500 here and held the lead throughout. Penn never let the Midshipmen get open water but could not quite make up the early deficit in taking second place. This was a race that saw the boats cross the line within four seconds of each other.
  Navy 6:21.7
  Penn 6:23.7
  Cornell 6:25.9