LIGHT WAVES: Members of the Princeton University men’s lightweight first varsity power to victory in action last spring. The Tigers’ top boat got its 2012 campaign off to a good start as it topped Navy last Saturday. In upcoming action, the Tigers host Columbia and Georgetown on March 31 at Lake Carnegie with the Fosburgh Cup on the line. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton Crew/Tom Nowak)

The 2011 postseason left a bitter taste for a proud Princeton University men’s lightweight program that is used to performing its best when it matters most.

After having swept the Eastern Sprints and the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regattas in 2009 and 2010, the Tigers’ first varsity fell well short of a three-peat last spring, taking fourth at the Easterns and sliding to fifth at the IRAs.

While Princeton head coach Marty Crotty wants his returning rowers to learn from last year’s frustration, he is happy to have them put 2011 in the rear view mirror.

“These guys do a good job; they came in here in September and didn’t dwell on what happened,” said Crotty.

“Everybody knows the score. There were things that I got wrong and things beyond our control that led to underperformance. The coaches and individuals had conversations over the summer and put everything to rest. These guys are so driven, they are just looking to make this year’s team and varsity 8 as fast as possible.”

Last Saturday, Princeton’s top boat showed some good speed as it won its season opening regatta, topping Navy in Annapolis, Md., retaining the Joseph Murtaugh Cup in the process.

“I am more nervous about this than any race even though we are now 3-0,” said Crotty, whose top boat clocked a time of 5:57.2 over the 2,000-meter course on the Severn River with Navy more than five seconds behind in 6:02.5.

“You don’t know what to expect because it is the first race. You don’t know how fast you are going to be until they put a crew next to you that is racing for your shirts. The Navy guys are tough, gritty, and always race hard. The course is usually windy.”

Crotty liked the toughness his first varsity displayed as it pulled away to victory.

“We were waiting for something to happen; maybe that’s what suits this boat,” said Crotty.

“Between 300 and 800 meters, we were vulnerable. We made a great move after 800 meters. I got to see something I hadn’t seen, an acceleration they hadn’t shown. It ended up to be a very nice cushion.”

Princeton has seen some great stuff from senior star and team captain Gianthomas Volpe.

“He’s been great,” said Crotty of Volpe, a native of Naples, Italy who has competed for the Italian national program. “He is not very animated, not very vocal. He keeps a very even keel and he leads through his actions. The guys respect him for what he is producing.”

Another senior stalwart, Steven Cutler, has been producing for the Tigers. “Steve is extremely diligent; he is really into his rowing,” added Crotty.

“Like Volpe, he leads by example. He rowed with the U.S. U-23 team all summer. The results he gets performance-wise make him our best starboard rower.”

Two other seniors, Alex Rubert and Nick Bax, are apparently saving their best for last. “Alex is back after a year out of the varsity; he is having the type of year that makes me look bad for keeping him out,” said Crotty.

“Last year, he did fine but I had a lot of options. This year, he is doing everything to put him solidly in the first varsity. He is stronger than ever and he is really tall for a lightweight. We can do things with him that can give the boat speed. Nick is having a very consistent year. In the past, he was very athletic; he produced some good results but was injured a lot. He is illness and injury free this year.”

In Crotty’s view, the result last Saturday was encouraging as the Tigers look to regain their championship form. “Any time you are .01 second ahead and bring home the Murtaugh Cup, that is positive,” said Crotty.

“It is a good starting point. We have 5-6 weeks to work on fitness and gaining tactical proficiency. This crew is only going to get better.”

Princeton will need to get better this Saturday as it faces a big test when it hosts Columbia and Georgetown at Lake Carnegie with the Fosburgh Cup on the line.

“We need to be aggressive off the line and not give anything away,” said Crotty. “Then we need to get to base speed and get to work. In our league, most races are not settled until the last half. I like this group; they take care of business. I really enjoy coaching them.”