U-M Posts Third-Place Finish at Central Region Sprints

Sunday, May 16

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

9:00 AM

Michigan

Central/South Region Finals

U-M Posts Third-Place Finish at Central Region Sprints

5/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Rowing

Site: Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Melton Hill Lake)
Event: #3 Michigan at Lexus Central/South Region Sprints
U-M Team Finish: 3rd Place of 13 Teams (362 Points)
Next U-M Event: Fri-Sun., May 28-30 -- at NCAA Championships (Sacramento, Calif.)

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team earned a third-place regional finish at the Lexus Central/South Region Sprints on Sunday (May 16) on Melton Hill Lake. No. 7 Virginia clinched both the overall and South Region title with 404 total points. No. 5 Ohio State won the Central Region crown with 391 points and No. 10 Wisconsin (363 points) edged out the Wolverines (362) for the region's runner-up spot.

By finishing third in the region Michigan has likely performed well enough to earn a bid to the 2004 NCAA Championships, which run May 28-30 in Sacramento, Calif. The official NCAA bids will be announced on Tuesday (May 18).

Michigan's lone boat championship came from the second varsity four. The first varsity eight was third in its final behind Virginia and Ohio State. The second varsity eight pulled hard to garner a second-place finish behind UVA. The first varsity four had a sixth-place showing in its final race and the first novice eight won its 'C' final.

In the first varsity eight 'A' final Michigan found itself down early behind UVA and OSU at 500 meters. Near 1,000 meters U-M began to move on second-place Virginia while OSU had the lead. Into the final quarter of the race Ohio State continued to extend its lead over UVA and U-M and crossed the finish line first in 6:34.8. The Cavaliers responded to Michigan's push during the middle of the race and held off the Maize and Blue down the stretch to take second in a time of 6:37.3. Half a boat back were the Wolverines, who finished in 6:39.3. U-M earned 189 points for third place.

Michigan's second varsity eight 'A' final was a three-way race right from the beginning with Michigan, Virginia and Michigan State all vying for first position. At 500 meters the trio was still close but UVA had a slight lead. By the 1,000-meter mark the Cavaliers had opened up a solid lead and it was U-M and MSU fighting it out for second as the Spartans led by six seats. Virginia went on to win the race in 6:44.5 and the Wolverines came up with a great final sprint to edge out MSU for second, 6:49.4 to 6:50.6. Michigan gained 120 points with its second-place finish in the event.

In the first varsity four 'A' final U-M started out in fifth place as Virginia jumped out to an early lead. Still back after 1,000 meters the Wolverines were battling with Notre Dame for fifth. UVA comfortably won the race in 7:33.1 ahead of Wisconsin (7:37.0), Ohio State (7:38.4) and Clemson (7:39.3). UND (7:44.5) outlasted U-M (7:45.3) in the end, dropping the Maize and Blue to sixth place and 39 points.

The first novice eight took a half-length lead over Central Florida at the 500-meter mark. By 1,000 meters U-M's advantage over UCF was 10 seats. Over the final 750 meters Michigan had open water over UCF and won the 'C' final in 7:31.1 to earn six team points. UCF took second in 7:36.2 and Eastern Michigan was third in 7:42.6.

Complete results for the Lexus Central/South Sprints are available at Tennessee's site.

Final Team Standings

 1. Virginia* 404 2. Ohio State# 391 3. Wisconsin 363 4. MICHIGAN 362 5. Michigan State 303 6. Notre Dame 295 Tennessee 295 8. Minnesota 264 9. Texas 252 10. Iowa 209 * Virginia wins South Region and overall titles # Ohio State wins Central Region title

RESULTS

First Varsity Eight (A Final) 1. Ohio State 6:34.8 2. Virginia 6:37.3 3. MICHIGAN 6:39.3 4. Tennessee 6:42.9 5. Wisconsin 6:43.5 6. Texas 6:43.8 Second Varsity Eight (A Final) 1. Virginia 6:44.5 2. MICHIGAN 6:49.4 3. Michigan State 6:50.6 4. Wisconsin 6:50.9 5. Ohio State 6:51.6 6. Minnesota 6:58.8 First Varsity Four (A Final) 1. Virginia 7:33.1 2. Wisconsin 7:37.0 3. Ohio State 7:38.4 4. Clemson 7:39.3 5. Notre Dame 7:44.5 6. MICHIGAN 7:45.3 Second Varsity Four (A Final) 1. MICHIGAN 7:42.8 2. Virginia 7:45.9 3. Wisconsin 7:48.5 4. Notre Dame 7:50.2 5. Ohio State 7:53.2 6. Clemson 8:08.0 First Novice Eight (C Final) 1. MICHIGAN 7:31.1 2. Central Florida 7:36.2 3. Eastern Michigan 7:42.6

Day 1 Results: Morning | Afternoon

Michigan Lineups

First Varsity Eight: Tara Medina (coxswain), Stesha Carle, Crystal Culp, Katie Reynolds, Heather Mandoli, Leah Ketcheson, Cristin McCarty, Janine Hanson, Emily Goodwin.