The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-27
For Eighth Time Ithacan Grew TfiunphS Oga All
 Opponents MEMORABLE RACE RONEO IN TWILIGHT SHADOWS
Twenty Thousand Spectators Cheer the College Oarsmen on to Victory.
 Columbia Is Close Con 
 tender at All Stages.

Poughkeepse N. Y. June 26.-Cornell won the Varsity eght-oared race at the intercollegiate regatta for the eighth time late this afternoon in the most exciting race ever run over the four-mile Pough- keepsie course.
 Cornelrs time over the course was 2o:O2 20
 Columia was second, United States Ma val academy third, Pennsylvania fourth Wisconsin fifth, Georgetown sixth, and Syracuse did not finish, her shell being swamped half a mile from the finish The Ithacans won by the narrowest margin from Columbia and until the finish Was crossed the judges announced that Cor nell had won, the thousands of spectators, both ahoat and ashore, were in doubt as to which crew won the victory Cornell and Columbia fought for the honors over the whole four miles of the course and at no time during the entire distance were the two shells more than 25 feet apart. Columbia led for over three miles and then Cornell took the lead only to lose it to Columbia again.
 In the last hundred feet of the race Cor
 
 of her shell out into the lead and swept over the finish under the glare of big search light on board the United States Monitor Arkansas, five feet ahead of Columbia. The Annapolis crew rowed d magnificent race and finished two lengths behind Columbia. Syracuse captured the honors of the Varsity four-oared shells from Cornell, Pennsylvania and Columbia, which finished in the order named. Syra- cuse finished two lengths ahead of Cor nell and her time over the two-mile course was 10 :37 1-5.
 Wisconsin won the freshmen eight -oared shell race over the course of two miles, leading Syracuse over the finish line by one length and covering the distance in 9:56. Pennsylvania was third, Columbia fourth and Cornell fifth Columbia row ed the last quarter of a mile with an almost waterlogged shell, which filled near the stern when three feet of planking was ripped out by striking a submerged log.
 Raced in Twilight.
 The Varsity race was postponed until after ! o'clock on account of the rough water. Twenty thousand people saw the races. Secretary of the Navy Metcalf viewed the contest from the gunboat Yank- ton, while nearly four hundred mdship- men cheered the Annapolis crew from the observation train and from the big bridge and coming towtrs of the United States monitors Arkansas, Florida and Nevada, anchored near the finish line, When the time approached for the big race at O clock tonight a southerly breeze was blowing up the river and bucking the fact ebbing tide. The rain which had been falling during the afternoon ceased and through the heavy clouds the sum- light lit up the crews as they drifted aimlessly awaiting to be called to the start. Darkness was fast falling when the starting signal was blown and the midshipmen could scarcely be seen as they took their position on the off side.
 Columbia had the shore position; Cor nell second, Syracuse third, Pennsylvania fourth, with Georgetown fifth. Wisconsin sixth and the naval academy seventh, There was a long pause as the crews hung at the line. The gun flashed and the race was on. With a great stroke of their blades, the navy and Columbia shells shot out, leaving Cornell and the other group close together. Columbia quickly took a slight lead over the navy which in turn fell behind Cornell Colum- bla rowed a steady, even stroke averaging
 
 rowed S4 strokes while the navy was hit ting up a 4O-stroke. Georgetown fell far behind in the first quarter of the journey and Columbia and Cornell rowed side by side with the slender prov of the Colum- bia half a length behind the Ithacan crew while far outside on the course. the navy was rowing in third position and trying to stave off a spurt from Pennsylvania which was pressing the sailor men closely for third position. Syracuse and Wiscon- sin fell back gradually.
 Columbia Takes Lead.
 Passing the first mile post Columbia had lead of half a length over Cornell. The navy spurted and creeping up tied with Cornell for second and the mile post, while Pennsylvania was third with Syra- cuse fourth, Wisconsin fifth and George town hopelessy last.
 As the leaders went by the one mile and a half mark Cornel's stroke, Cox. hurried the swinging of his blade and the arching backs of the Ithacans pulling with much power on the bending 1lades made their shell fairly leap out of the water. Columbia answered the challenge and the two crews raced madly along, with Pennsylvania and Annapolis still fighting for third position On the crews raced for the next mile, the positions never changing and none seemingly to
 
 under the big bridge Cornell increased her stroke to 3i and squirting took the lead. Columbia held to her 2 stroke and then Coxswain Winslow. seeing Cornell slow ly forging ahead, yelled to the stroke to increase the pace. The big form of Stroke Chorus bent forward with deeper and quicked strokes, followed by the crew be- hind him, the Columbia shell cut down the lead of Cornell to a couple of feet. The leaders were now within half mile of the finish. The Annapolis crew in- creased their stroke to 40 and opened up sylvania which was fourth. Syracuse was fifth. Wisconsin sixth and Georgetown seventh.
 Columbia kept up the terrific sprint and when her bow nosed out ahead of Cornell. deafening. "Go on. Columpial" was yelled incessantly
 Cornell's Great Spurt.
 Columbia and Cornell were within one hundred yards of the finish when Cornell made the final effort. Amid a gun fire and shrieking of whistles the leaders near est the finish line on which played great bar of white light from the search light on the monitor Arkansas. Cornelfs steady. low stroke shot the nose of her shell five fect ahead of Columbia as they canie in the light rays of the search light. Columbia tried vainly to cut down the slight lead. but could not. and Cornell slipped over the line. winner by about