The University of Pennsylvania men’s heavyweight rowing team secured both the Blackwell Cup and the Colgan Cup on April 18, following races held on the Housatonic River in Derby, Connecticut.
The achievement marks a significant moment for Penn, as it is the second consecutive year they have claimed the Blackwell Cup. This is the first time since their four-year streak from 1999 to 2002 that Penn has won this trophy two years in a row. The team also captured the Colgan Cup for the first time since its introduction five years ago, ending Yale’s hold on that title since 2022.
In a closely contested Varsity Eight race for the Blackwell Cup, Penn edged out Yale by just four-tenths of a second with a finishing time of 5:48.8. Columbia finished third. The Second Varsity Eight saw Penn maintain an early lead to win the Colgan Cup with a time of 5:59.8, holding off Yale and Columbia.
Yale managed to take first place in the Third Varsity Eight race, finishing ahead of Penn and Columbia. In Fourth Varsity Eight action, Penn’s crew took an early advantage and expanded their lead throughout to finish well ahead of both Yale and Columbia.
Looking ahead, Penn will compete next Saturday on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River against Harvard and Navy with the Adams Cup at stake in the Varsity Eights race.
