Michigan
Ohio State
Wolverines' Top Boats Down Buckeyes at Home Regatta
4/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Event: #13 Ohio State at #7 Michigan
U-M Results: First Varsity Eight -- Win over Ohio State
Second Varsity Eight -- Win over Ohio State
Varsity Four -- Win over Ohio State
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 16 -- vs. Michigan State (Ford Lake, Ypsilanti, Mich.), 9 a.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- In the first race of its first home regatta in two years, the seventh-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team downed No. 13 Ohio State by 0.67 seconds in the closest race of the day Saturday (April 15). The win was the first of three victories over the Buckeyes in the NCAA-scoring events, as Michigan also won the Second Varsity Eight and First Varsity Four races at Ford Lake in front of over 300 spectators.
In the First Varsity Eight race, Michigan fell behind early but held a two-seat lead at the 1,000-meter mark. The Wolverines increased their lead to three and one-half seats, but Ohio State had pulled even by the 1,500-meter mark. In the sprint, Michigan was able to pull ahead and crossed the line with a time of 6:51.20, less than a second before the Buckeyes. For the first time this season, Michigan's first varsity eight boat was under the direction of freshman coxswain Helen Dalis (Augusta, Ga./Davidson Fine Arts HS), U-M's first recruited coxswain.
In the Second Varsity Eight, senior coxswain Belinda Koo (Grosse Pointe, Mich./White Station [Tenn.] HS) guided Michigan to a commanding victory over the Buckeyes. Right off the start, the Wolverines controlled the race, as they held a one-half boat lead after just 200 meters. The lead reached open water by the halfway point of the race. Ohio State made a move to gain some ground on the Wolverines, but Michigan countered and went on to finish in front. Michigan's time of 6:54.74 was over 15 seconds faster than the Buckeyes.
The Wolverines completed the sweep with a victory in the First Varsity Four race. Ohio State took an early one-seat lead, but Michigan battled back and the race was even through 1,000 meters. Throughout the remainder of the race, there was very little distance between the boats, but Michigan was able to pull ahead in the sprint for a winning time of 8:02.0.
Michigan and Ohio State also raced a second varsity four. The Buckeyes led from the start, but only held a one-seat advantage after 1,000 meters. However, in the final 500 meters, Ohio State opened up a lead and defeated Michigan by eight seconds.
Michigan State joined the Wolverines and the Buckeyes for the novice races. In the First Novice Eight, the Wolverines jumped out to an early lead, but Michigan State pulled ahead after 750 meters. At the 1,000-meter mark, Michigan was back even with Michigan State. After 1,500 meters, Ohio State was trailing U-M and MSU by open water, while Michigan State held a lead over Michigan. In the end, it was the Spartans over the Wolverines by nine seconds.
The Second Novice Eight race was a tale of two races. Michigan State entered two boats in the race to join Michigan and Ohio State. After the first 500 meters, two packs emerged with Michigan State "B" and Ohio State out in front and Michigan State "A" and Michigan trailing. The race stayed that way to the finish with Ohio State winning with a time of 7:42.67. The Michigan State boats finished second and third, while the Wolverines were fourth.
The Wolverines take to the water again tomorrow (Sunday, April 16) to battle intrastate rival Michigan State at Ford Lake in Ypsilanti, Mich., with the first race starting at 9 a.m. The best viewing area is the Ford Lake Park off of Huron River Park Drive.
Final Results
First Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN 6:51.20 2. Ohio State 6:51.87
Second Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN 6:54.74 2. Ohio State 7:09.99
First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN 8:02.0 2. Ohio State 8:03.9
Second Varsity Four
1. Ohio State 8:10.0 2. MICHIGAN 8:18.0
First Novice Eight
1. Michigan State 7:11.0 2. MICHIGAN 7:20.0 3. Ohio State 7:27.0
Second Novice Eight
1. Ohio State 7:38.93 2. Michigan State "B" 7:42.67 3. Michigan State "A" 7:45.50 4. MICHIGAN 7:50.51
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Mark Rothstein
On the day's competition ... "We were really pleased with the way we rowed today. I thought the First Varsity Eight race was a great race. Ohio State did a real nice job of putting pressure on us in the first 1,000 meters, and I thought our boat responded well. We took the lead in the third 500 meters, and then we had a nice sprint. It's good to win a close race like that."
On hosting a home regatta ... "It's going to be nice when we can do it out at Belleville [Lake] and have the boathouse, and we are looking forward to that next year. However, it is definitely nice to have a home event so the local parents can come out see their kids row. It's a nice day, and this is a great crowd."
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
