Thought never in the lead, Harvard executed its race plan to near perfection. The Crimson, which focused heavily on its traditionally weak start, prevented Brown from establishing a big lead early.

The Bears only had a three-seat lead at the 500-meter mark and didn't pull away decisively until the 1000-meter mark.

"Against a crew like Brown, you just really have to stay close," Henderson said. "If they get an early lead, they'll just thrash you."

Dartmouth, the second-place finisher, only blipped onto Harvard's radar screen late in the race. The Big Green, who had an outside lane, was out of the Crimson's field of vision when they made its move.

"Psychologically speaking, Dartmouth had a big edge," Henderson said. "When you manage to get ahead in the last 500 meters at Sprints, you don't relinquish the lead."

After a long lay-off because of exams, Harvard will be back on the water in a pre-National tune-up at Yale June 4. The Crimson were about a length and a half in front of the Eli at Sprints.

"Yale is going to be tough," Henderson said. "They have some seniors who have been in the boat since they were sophomores and I think they are just really sick of losing Harvard-Yale. They are definitely going to be gunning for us."