Photo Finish Lands U-M First Varsity Eight in Semifinal

Friday, May 31

Indianapolis, Ind.

4:00 PM CT

Michigan

NCAA Repechage

Photo Finish Lands U-M First Varsity Eight in Semifinal

5/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Rowing

INDIANAPOLIS -- After a two-hour, 15-minute delay due to lightning, it took a photo finish to give the University of Michigan women's rowing team a shot at a national title, as the first varsity eight outlasted Washington State by half a second to finish third today (Friday, May 31) in the first varsity eight repechage heat at the NCAA Championships on Eagle Creek Reservoir. The top-three finish earned the Wolverines a spot in tomorrow's (June 1) semifinals for the event. Southern California and Syracuse finished first and second, respectively, and advanced to the semifinals.

The race started with four boats -- Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Southern Cal -- within two seats of each other at the 500-meter mark. The MSU Spartans fell back over the next 250 meters, leaving Michigan and the other two crews to battle for first. Syracuse began to challenge for the third spot, but the Wolverines held on to third at the 1,000-meter mark.

At the 1,500-meter mark, Michigan increased its stroke rating to keep possession of third place. The move worked even with Michigan State starting to creep back into the mix with 250 meters to go. The Wolverines kept their sprint going to post a time of 6:46.72. The time proved to be just enough as Washington State finished fourth, one spot out of advancing to the semifinals, with a time of 6:47.24.

The Wolverines' first varsity eight races in one of two semifinals tomorrow, while the second varsity eight and varsity four each compete in one of two repechage heats. All three boats are looking for spots in the Grande Finals of their respective events. Racing begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Afternoon Results (Repechage Heat)

First Varsity Eight (Repechage Heat) 1. Southern Cal* 6:43.30 2. Syracuse* 6:45.45 3. MICHIGAN* 6:46.72 4. Washington State 6:47.24 5. Cornell 6:48.56 6. Michigan State 6:50.13 7. Notre Dame 6:52.56 * Advance to First Varsity Eight Semifinals

Day 1 Morning Results

Michigan Lineups

First Varsity Eight
Coxswain Helen Dalis, Kate Maxim, Tami McBratney, Leah Ketcheson, Christina Meyer, Erin Kopicki, Sophie Roberge, Katie Reynolds, Crystal Culp

N O T E S

This was the first time in five NCAA Championships that the U-M first varsity eight needed to race in the repechage heat to earn a spot in the semifinals of its event.