HEAVY DUTY: The Princeton University men’s heavyweight first varsity crew powers over Lake Carnegie last Saturday on the way to an opening day win over Syracuse and Georgetown. Princeton’s top boat covered the 2,000-meter course in 6:11.8 to top runner-up Syracuse by 6.7 seconds with Georgetown in third at 6:25.4. In upcoming action, the Tigers host the storied Childs Cup regatta on Lake Carnegie against Ivy League rivals Penn and Columbia. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton Crew/Tom Nowak)

Greg Hughes wasn’t expecting anything fancy when his Princeton University men’s heavyweight first varsity started its 2012 regular season campaign by hosting Georgetown and Syracuse last Saturday on Lake Carnegie.

“I was looking for a good, simple, aggressive race,” said Hughes, who is entering his third year at the helm of the heavyweight program.

“We needed to get one under our belts. With so many young guys, they need to compete at the varsity level. We had five or six new guys in the boat. Last year, we had five or six guys who had been in the boat.”

The new kids looked alright as Princeton’s top boat covered the 2,000-meter course in 6:11.8 to top runner-up Syracuse by 6.7 seconds with Georgetown in third at 6:25.4.

“You never take a win for granted,” said Hughes, whose program posted a clean sweep as the second varsity, third varsity, and freshman eight all posted victories. “I liked what happened Saturday but we know we have a lot of work to do.”

Hughes knows that he has some work to do when it comes to figuring out the right combination for his top boat.

“I never set a deadline; it happens when it happens,” said Hughes. “With so many young guys in the mix, it is good to have an open-minded outlook. Guys are still developing.”

Senior captain Ian Silveira, who is a mainstay on the first varsity, has developed into quite a leader for the Tigers.

“Ian has been in the top boat the last few years and he has lots of experience outside of Princeton,” said Hughes of Silveira who has rowed for the U.S. at the U23 World Championships.

“He has raced at a high level; he is a sophisticated racer. He is very competitive and sets a good example.”

Juniors Mike Evans and Brian Wettach have also been setting a good example this spring for the program’s younger rowers.

“They were sophomores in the top boat last year,” said Hughes. “The lineup was largely organized so they could keep their heads down and do as they were told. It has been a transition for them this year. They need to be leaders but not overbearing. They are doing a good job, the younger guys are having a lot of fun with them.”

The Tigers are looking to have fun this Saturday as they host the storied Childs Cup regatta on Lake Carnegie against Ivy League rivals Penn and Columbia.

“It is the oldest cup race in collegiate rowing,” said Hughes, noting that Princeton and Penn have each now won 44 times since the regatta was first held in 1879 with the Tigers having triumphed the last two years.

“We are not usually thinking about history but it brings home the tradition of the sport and how special it is. It started in the 1870s so it is way bigger than we are. It is an exciting piece of the race; we have the chance to do something for those who have come before us.”