Michigan
Central Region Finals
Michigan Captures Fifth Consecutive Central Region Title
5/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- First-place finishes in the second varsity eight and first varsity four were enough to help the fifth-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team win its fifth consecutive Central Region Championships team title today (Sunday, May 19) on Melton Hill Lake. The Wolverines finished second to Ohio State in three events -- first varsity eight, second varsity four and first novice eight -- but ended the regatta with 106 team points, 18 more than the second-place Buckeyes (88 points).
The Wolverines, who finished second to No. 3 Ohio State at the Big Ten Conference Championships (May 4), won all seven races in which they competed yesterday (Saturday, May 18) to set up the rematch with the Buckeyes. Despite OSU's victories in the first varsity eight, second varsity four and first novice eight and a third-place finish in the second novice eight, Michigan captured the team title with help from large margins of victory in the second varsity eight and first varsity four.
The highest-scoring race of the day proved to be one of the most exciting. In a near duplicate of the first varsity eight Grande Final at the Big Ten Championships, the race came down to Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State in the sprint. The Buckeyes proved their conference championship was no fluke by finishing in 6:33.4, defeating second-place Michigan (6:37.5) by 4.1 seconds. U-M barely held the second spot, however, as the Spartans were just three-tenths of a second behind U-M with a time of 6:37.8.
Michigan picked up a win in the closest race of the day when the second varsity eight defeated Michigan State by 2.3 seconds. The Wolverines crossed the finish line in 6:51.5 to bounce back from their second-place finish at the conference championships. Ohio State finished fourth and lost valuable points in the team standings.
The Buckeyes also lost points in the first varsity four with a third-place finish. Michigan's boat took first place with a time of 7:26.9, defeated second-place and Big Ten champion Michigan State (7:30.4) by 2.3 seconds.
Ohio State earned its biggest win of the day with a 13-second victory over the Wolverines in the second varsity four. The Buckeyes finished in 7:35.5, while U-M crossed the finish line in 7:49.1, just 0.9 seconds ahead of third-place Clemson (7:50.0). Michigan's first novice eight finished second to the Buckeyes by 2.6 seconds. Ohio State posted a time of 6:59.9, and the Wolverines crossed the finish line in 7:02.5.
While the winner of the Central Region Championships does not earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships (May 31-June 2) in Indianapolis, Ind., today's team title and the second-place finish at the conference championships should be enough to land the Wolverines in the 12-team national championships field and give them a shot at the NCAA rowing title.
Final Team Standings
Place, Team Points 1. MICHIGAN 106 2. Ohio State 88 3. Michigan State 66 4. Notre Dame 19.5 5. Wisconsin 12 6. Eastern Michigan 10 7. Clemson 8 8. Kansas 6 Texas 6 10. Duke 2 11. Iowa 1.5 12. Indiana 1 Minnesota 1 Tennessee 1 15. Louisville 0 Cincinnati 0 Kansas State 0 Miami (Fla.) 0 Murray State 0
Sunday Results (Finals)
First Varsity Eight (Grande Final) 1. Ohio State 6:33.4 2. MICHIGAN 6:37.5 3. Michigan State 6:37.8 4. Notre Dame 6:43.2 5. Texas 6:46.4 6. Duke 6:47.6 Second Varsity Eight (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 6:51.5 2. Michigan State 6:53.8 3. Wisconsin 6:56.2 4. Ohio State 6:57.5 5. Notre Dame 6:59.1 6. Iowa 7:05.7 First Varsity Four (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 7:26.9 2. Michigan State 7:30.4 3. Ohio State 7:31.3 4. Kansas 7:33.7 5. Texas 7:34.5 6. Minnesota 7:38.8 Second Varsity Four (Grande Final) 1. Ohio State 7:35.5 2. MICHIGAN 7:49.1 3. Clemson 7:50.0 4. Kansas 7:54.2 5. Tennessee 7:56.2 6. Notre Dame 7:57.3 First Novice Eight (Grande Final) 1. Ohio State 6:59.9 2. MICHIGAN 7:02.5 3. Notre Dame 7:07.5 4. Clemson 7:08.2 5. Michigan State 7:14.4 6. Indiana 7:23.5
Saturday Results
Michigan Lineups
First Varsity Eight -- Helen Dalis (c), Kate Maxim, Tami McBratney, Leah Ketcheson, Christina Meyer, Erin Kopicki, Sophie Roberge, Katie Reynolds, Crystal Culp.
Second Varsity Eight -- Tara Medina (c), Brett Sickler, Heather Mandoli, Elizabeth Nelson, Elizabeth Kreger, Jenny Bryant, Cristin McCarty, Laura Drongowski, Julie Brescoll.
First Varsity Four -- Corinn Cunningham (c), Angela Bierhuizen, Emily Goodwin, Christina Ceo, Emoke Bury.
Second Varsity Four -- Mary-Catherine Steer (c), Kristin Rosella, Stephanie Shapiro, Pamela Woll, Amy Coughlin.
N O T E S
The Central Region Championships winner does not receive the Central Region's automatic bid for the NCAA Championships. Bids for the national championships -- automatic and at-large -- are awarded based on several criteria. However, because of the level of competition and the late-season date of the regatta, results from the Central Region Championships are heavily considered in the selection process.
Michigan's undefeated streak at the Central Region Championships ended at 19 races with today's second-place finish by the first novice eight.
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
