ITHACA, N.Y. — The No. 4-ranked Cornell men's lightweight rowing team will conclude the regular-season portion of its spring schedule this weekend when it travels to Leonia, N.J., to face No. 7-ranked MIT and No. 10-ranked Columbia for the Geiger Cup.

"Every practice, every session, we're building toward something bigger," said junior Andrew Hohlt, of the Big Red's 1V8+. "This weekend's another step in that direction."

"We know what we're capable of and are excited to put it together against Columbia and MIT," added sophomore Pat Reilly, a member of Cornell's 2V8+ crew.

GEIGER CUP HISTORY
Cornell has won three of the last four Geiger Cups (2019, 2022, 2024) and is looking to win consecutive Geiger Cups since claiming the 2019 and 2022 editions of the race.

This year will feature MIT competing with Cornell and Columbia for the first time since 2018. The Engineers' last time claiming the Geiger Cup came back in 1983 in Cambridge, Mass., the last of MIT's two consecutive Geiger Cup victories. Columbia will be aiming to claim victory on its home course for the first time since 2006 as each of the Lions' last four victories in the cup race have come at Eastern Sprints in 2013 in Worcester, Mass., in Ithaca (2016 and 2023), and in Cambridge (2018).

Last year, Cornell swept the trio of races held on Overpeck Creek in Overpeck County Park. With the victory in the 1V8+ race, Cornell regained control of the Geiger Cup, which has alternated possession in each of the last three years. The Big Red has won three of the last four Geiger Cup races (2019, 2022, 2024).

Cornell's success on Columbia's waters were further solidified, as the Big Red has won the Geiger Cup in each of the last six runnings (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2024).

In the first race of the day, Cornell's 3V8+ clocked a time of 5:54.29, which was exactly six seconds better than the Big Red's 4V8. Columbia's crew placed third, finishing 12 seconds behind the Big Red's 3V8.

The 2V8+ posted a six-second victory over Columbia (5:55.96) with a 5:49.61 time before Cornell's 1V8+ secured the Geiger Cup victory after crossing the finish line with a time of 5:43.10, four-plus seconds before Columbia (5:47.15).

LAST TIME OUT
Cornell registered its 11th consecutive victory over Dartmouth on the Cayuga Inlet last Saturday morning, ensuring the Baggaley Bowl remains in the Big Red's possession.

Racing on flat water with a low current and minor headwind throughout racing, with winds dying down for the last race, the Big Red's V4+ opened the day of racing with an unopposed time trail time of 7:11.4.

Dartmouth posted its lone victory of the day in the 2V8+ race with a time of 5:59.2, edging Cornell's crew by 2.3 seconds (6:01.5).

"Despite a strong week of practice, we struggled to execute on race day," said Tyler Nase, the Henry E. Bartels '48 Head Coach of Cornell Men's Lightweight Rowing. "Dartmouth got the jump off the line and we let it rattle us early. The crew fought hard to stay in contact but couldn't claw back the margin."

The Big Red successfully retained the Baggaley Bowl with a 1.7-second victory after completing the 2000-meter course in 5:41.2.

"The 1V followed with one of the closest races of the day," Nase said. "Both crews traded seats down the course before we were able to surge ahead in the final 500 meters and nearly broke the course record in the process."

Rounding out the four-race event, Cornell's 3V8+ and 4V8+ finished in first and second place. The Big Red's 3V8+ crew crossed the finish line 14.4 seconds ahead of the 4V8+ and 33.7 seconds better than Dartmouth's 3V8+.

"The 3V and 4V doubled up and brought great energy," Nase stated. "Both crews jumped out ahead of Dartmouth early and never looked back. Huge credit to senior coxswain Mia Goldstein, who steered a great course down lane 1 with a floating start."

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Subject to change
9:30 a.m. — 3V8+ and 4V8+
9:50 a.m. — 2V8+
10:10 a.m. — 1V8+ (Geiger Cup)

BOATINGS
To be announced