TOP SPEED: The Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 churns through the water in a race this spring. The Tiger top boat, which is ranked No. 1 nationally, won the Carnegie Cup last Saturday as it defeated No. 5 Yale and No. 14 Cornell on the Cayuga Inlet in Ithaca, N.Y. The Tigers covered the 2,000-meter route in a course record time of 5:26.6, breaking the mark set by Syracuse last year at 5:33. Princeton hosts Brown on May 4 on Lake Carnegie in the race for the Content Cup. (Photo by Ed Hewitt – Row2k, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a 2023 campaign that saw his Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 take third at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta and with three All-Americans returning from that boat, Greg Hughes was cautiously optimistic heading into this spring.

“Last year was a big step forward for us, I think it gave us confidence that we have something positive in motion,” said Princeton men’s heavyweight head coach Hughes, whose All-American trio includes Theo Bell, Marcus Chute, and Nick Taylor. “Any year where you are returning a big chunk of the previous year’s varsity, I think it is important to recognize last year was last year. It is absolutely a new season and you are starting from scratch but I think having some good experience together under pressure is definitely an advantage.” more

NOT FOR THE MEEK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Andrew McMeekin, left, goes after a face-off in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore McMeekin won 20-of-26 face-offs and scooped up 17 ground balls to help Princeton defeat Yale 15-8 and clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament. He was later named the Ivy Defensive Player of the Week. Second-seeded Princeton will have a rematch with third-seeded Yale in one semifinal on May 3 in Ithaca, N.Y. The victor will advance to the final on May 5 to face the winner of the other semi clash between top-seeded Cornell and fourth-seeded Penn. The champion will earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matt Madalon vowed that his Princeton University men’s lacrosse team would put its nose to the grindstone as it prepared to play at Yale last Saturday, knowing that a win would clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament.

“We have an opportunity to solidify that,” said Princeton head coach Madalon, whose squad also faced the possibility of getting get shut out of the four-team tourney if it lost to Yale and Brown beat Harvard. “We are going to put all of our effort into these next five days of practice.” more

BARN BURNER: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Tommy Barnds heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Barnds tallied two goals and one assist to help Princeton defeat Penn. The Tigers, now 8-4 overall and 3-2 Ivy League, play at Yale on April 27 in their regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Tommy Barnds left the Class of 1952 Stadium last Saturday evening after his final regular season game on the field for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team, he got a special embrace.

Princeton head coach Matt Madalon walked over to Barnds and gave him a bear hug, telling the senior midfielder how proud he was of him.

Patiently working his way into the lineup over the years, Barnds contributed two goals and an assist to help Princeton defeat Penn 15-10 before a standing room only throng of 2,766 as the Tigers improved to 8-4 overall and 3-2 Ivy League and stayed alive in their pursuit of a spot in the the upcoming Ivy postseason tournament.

Coming off a disappointing 13-12 loss at Brown a week earlier, Barnds and his teammates were determined to get back on the winning track. more

AMAZING GRACE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Grace Tauckus races upfield in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior attacker Tauckus scored four goals to help Princeton defeat Dartmouth 17-11. The Tigers, now 9-5 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, play at Harvard on April 27 to wrap up regular season play before it heads into the Ivy postseason tournament. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

After playing through rain in each of its home games this spring, the sun was shining on the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team last Saturday afternoon as it hosted Dartmouth and held its annual Senior Day celebration.

Enjoying the finally pleasant weather, senior attacker Grace Tauckus was ready to shine in her last home game.

“It was our last day on ’52, it was obviously an emotional one for all of us,” said Tauckus. “This team is incredibly special this year, everybody is incredibly close. It makes days like this a little bittersweet. I wanted to make the most of it today.” more

OPEN INVITATION: The Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 churns through the water in recent action. Last weekend, Princeton’s top boat went 2-0 at the Ivy Invite on Lake Carnegie. On Friday, the Tigers topped Harvard and Cornell in the race for the Class of 1975 Cup and then topped Rutgers and USC a day later. In upcoming action, No. 3 Princeton heads to New Haven, Conn. on Saturday to face No. 5 Yale in the race for the Eisenberg Cup. (Photo by Ed Hewitt – Row2k, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Lori Dauphiny was drained after her Princeton University women’s open rowing program hosted the Ivy Invite last weekend on Lake Carnegie.

The Tigers welcomed crews from Penn, Brown, USC, Rutgers, Dartmouth, Columbia, Harvard, and Cornell, sharing the water with the Princeton University men’s heavyweight and lightweight rowers who were also hosting regattas.

“We were really excited about it, I was pleased to be able to host; there were so many crews,” said Princeton open head coach Dauphiny, who credited boathouse administrator Tom Heebink with playing a key role in coordinating the logistics of the event. “The men were racing the Childs Cup and the lightweight men, the Platt Cup. It was a lot of fun because there was a ton of energy around the boathouse with all of the crews racing and with so many visiting crews. It was a big regatta. It pooped me out, I was exhausted by the end.” more

READY FOR ACTION: Princeton University men’s lacrosse goalie Michael Gianforcaro guards the crease in recent action. Last Saturday, senior goalie Gianforcaro helped key a superb defensive effort, making 14 saves as Princeton defeated Dartmouth 15-5. The Tigers, now 6-3 overall and 2-1 Ivy League, were slated to host Lehigh on April 2 before playing at Brown on April 6. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

During his storied tenure guiding the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program from 1988-2009, Hall of Fame coach Bill Tierney’s squads emphasized stifling defense and featured stellar goalies on the way to six NCAA titles.

Last Saturday as Princeton hosted Dartmouth, with Tierney on hand to get honored for having the head coaching position recently endowed in his name, it was fitting that Tiger goalie Michael Gianforcaro and the team’s defensive unit were primed for a big effort. more

BOLD MOVE: Princeton University baseball player Jake Bold takes a big cut in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, Bold went 1 for 3 with homer in a losing cause as Princeton fell 5-2 to Yale. The Tigers, now 7-15 overall and 3-3 Ivy League, play at Seton Hall on April 3 and then head to Brown next weekend for a doubleheader on April 6 and a single game on April 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University baseball team would like to again qualify for the Ivy League Baseball Tournament after making the inaugural four-team postseason competition last spring.

The Tigers aren’t in bad shape after splitting their first six Ivy games, but they must find a reliable combination of arms and pick up their hitting to improve their chances. Princeton was scheduled to play at Seton Hall on April 3, but inclement weather might cancel that outing. The Tigers will then go on the road to play three games this weekend at Brown, with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Princeton is 3-3 in Ivy play for fifth in the league, Brown sits in a three-way tie for sixth place at 2-4. more

PRESSED OUT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose battles to get past a Columbia defender in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard St. Rose scored a team-high 22 points but it wasn’t enough as ninth-seeded Princeton fell 63-53 to eighth-seeded West Virginia in an NCAA first round contest in Iowa City, Iowa. The Tigers finished the winter with a 25-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

A major point of emphasis for the Princeton University women’s basketball team as it prepared to face West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament last Saturday was dealing with the Mountaineers’ stifling press.

“It’s certainly going to be challenging,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, reflecting on the Mountaineer defense in a media conference last Friday. more

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee dribbles past a UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) player last Wednesday as Princeton hosted theRunnin’ Rebels in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. Sophomore guard Lee scored 10 points with six assists and two rebounds in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 84-77 to the Runnin’ Rebels. The defeat left Princeton with a final record of 24-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the waning seconds of the Princeton University men’s basketball team’s 84-77 loss to UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) last Wednesday in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, senior stars Matt Allocco and Zach Martini left the court at Jadwin Gym for the final time to an extended standing ovation.

But while the exit of the two senior stalwarts will leave a huge void as they were part of three Ivy League regular season championship teams and the historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last March, the cupboard is hardly bare for the Tigers. more

TUCKING IN: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Tucker Wade races upfield in recent action. Last Sunday, freshman midfielder Wade scored a career-high four goals but it wasn’t enough as No. 13 Princeton got edged 15-14 by No. 15 Cornell on a last second goal in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 4-3 overall and 0-1 Ivy, play at Harvard (6-1 overall, 0-1 Ivy) on March 23. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Tucker Wade broke into the starting lineup for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team in the sixth game this season and is making the most of the opportunity.

After tallying two assists in five games off the bench to start his career, freshman midfielder Wade scored two goals in a 14-8 win over Rutgers on March 10 in his first college start.

“It is always exciting to play more and be a part of this program,” said Wade, a 6’0, 195-pound native of Bethesda, Md. “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other team.” more

TITLE DRIVE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kaitlyn Chen, left, drives past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior guard Chen enjoyed a special finale at Jadwin Gym, tallying 19 points with a career-high 11 assists and seven rebounds to help Princeton defeat Penn 72-55 and clinch a tie for the Ivy League regular season title with Columbia. The Tigers, now 23-4 overall and 13-1 Ivy, will compete in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament this weekend at Columbia’s Levien Gym in New York City. Princeton is seeded first and will face fourth-seeded Penn in a semifinal contest on March 15. The victor will play the winner of the Columbia-Harvard semi on Saturday in the title game for the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kaitlyn Chen’s final game at Jadwin Gym for the Princeton University women’s basketball team started with smiles and hugs as she was honored in the program’s annual Senior Day ceremony last Saturday afternoon.

Senior point guard Chen was joined by her family who traveled from Southern California, along with classmates Chet Nweke and Ellie Mitchell and their families.

“It was really special to be with them, this school is just amazing and it is surrounded by such great people,” said Chen, a 5’9 native of San Marino, Calif. “I am just lucky to be here and be able to celebrate this with them.” more

CAUSING HAVOC: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Michael Bath controls the ball against Tigers last Sunday. Junior defender Bath helped lead a stifling defensive effort as the Tigers topped Rutgers 14-8. Bath set a program single-game record of six caused turnovers in the win and also scooped up four ground balls and was later named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week. Princeton, now 4-2 and ranked 13th nationally, hosts No. 15 Cornell (3-2) on March 17 in the Ivy League opener for both teams. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Heading into its clash at Rutgers last Sunday afternoon, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team steeled itself by playing three straight road games against Top 20 teams.

The Tigers fell 13-7 at then-No. 4 Maryland on February 24 before heading down Tobacco Road to start March, defeating then-No. 19 North Carolina 15-9 in Chapel Hill on March 1 before falling 17-8 at then-No. 1 Duke in Durham two days later.

“We learned a lot from that weekend, not only about our skill set but our team as a whole,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon in assessing the jaunt to North Carolina. “Being able to take a trip like that was really just a nice opportunity.” more

RUING THE DAY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Tyler Rubin, left, goes after the puck in a game last season. Last Friday, sophomore defenseman Rubin and the Tigers fell 1-0 at Harvard in a single-elimination ECAC Hockey playoff opening round contest. The defeat left the Tigers with a final overall record of 10-16-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In late December, the Princeton University men’s hockey team defeated visiting Harvard 5-2, making the most out of its opportunities as it outshot the Crimson 31-30.

Last Friday when the rivals met in a ECAC Hockey single-elimination first round playoff contest in Cambridge, Mass., Princeton built a 38-16 edge in shots and won 31 of 53 face-offs. more

ALL IN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco looks to pass the ball last Friday night against Columbia. Bouncing back from a knock that sidelined him in the second half of Princeton’s 84-70 win over the Lions, Allocco scored 19 points as the Tigers edged Cornell 79-77 a night later in Ivy League first-place showdown. Princeton, now 23-3 overall and 11-2 Ivy, plays at Penn on March 9 in its regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Columbia last Friday night, Matt Allocco got knocked out of the game late in the first half.

Princeton senior guard and co-captain Allocco crashed to the floor when taking a charge and didn’t return for the second half as he was treated by the program’s medical staff while the Tigers pulled away to an 84-70 win.

While Allocco’s status for Saturday’s regular season home finale and Ivy League first-place showdown against Cornell was unclear, he had no doubt that he would take the court for his Senior Night. more

LEAVING IT ON THE COURT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell hits the floor to get a loose ball last Friday against Harvard. Senior star forward Mitchell came up big last weekend for the Tigers, scoring six points with nine rebounds as Princeton defeated Harvard 60-49 on Friday and then had six points along with six rebounds, one assist, and two steals in a 68-42 win over Dartmouth a day later. The Tigers, now 22-4 overall and 12-1 Ivy League, host Penn on March 9 in their regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team coming off a tough 67-65 loss at Columbia to end February, Ellie Mitchell sense that the Tigers were primed to get back on the winning track as they hosted Harvard and Dartmouth last weekend to start March.

“We know there was a lot we could improve on, hopefully there is a lot left for us in March,” said Princeton senior forward Mitchell. “We were excited to get back on the court and try to make a statement game with Harvard and then Dartmouth, one at a time.” more

ON THE STICK: Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs sends the puck up the ice in a game last season. Last Friday, sophomore forward Jacobs tallied two goals and an assist as Princeton rallied to tie visiting St. Lawrence 4-4 through regulation and overtime and then came up short in a penalty shootout. The Tigers, who fell 6-2 to Clarkson on Saturday to move to 10-15-4 overall and 8-11-3 ECAC Hockey, are the ninth-seed in the upcoming ECACH playoffs and will play at eighth-seeded Harvard on Friday in a single-elimination opening round contest with the victor advancing to the best-of-three quarterfinal series from March 15-17.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs, taking a nasty hit against Yale in late February that split his chin open and required 24 stitches hasn’t slowed him down.

“It is just in a tough spot,” said Princeton sophomore forward Jacobs. “We wear cages in this league, so it is not so big of a deal. It sucked that it happened. It is what it is — it’s hockey.” more

DEVELOPING SITUATION: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Chad Palumbo heads to goal in recent action. Sophomore Palumbo has emerged as a bright spot for the Tigers, providing scoring punch from the midfield. He totaled five goals and one assist as the Tigers started the season by defeatingMonmouth 15-5 on February 18 and then topped Manhattan 15-6 two days later. Last Saturday, Palumbo chipped in two assists as the Tigers fell 13-7 at No. 4 Maryland. No. 15 Princeton plays at No. 18 North Carolina on March 1 and at No. 1 Duke on March 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Chad Palumbo has a special motivation to make the most out of every moment he is on the field for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team.

Heading into his senior year in high school in 2021, Palumbo was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue, and he underwent six months of chemotherapy in order to beat it. more