First Varsity Eight Wins Semifinal at Central/South Region Sprints

Saturday, May 17

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

2:00 PM

Michigan

Central/South Region Semifinals

First Varsity Eight Wins Semifinal at Central/South Region Sprints

5/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Rowing

Site: Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Melton Hill Lake)
Event: Central/South Region Sprints (Semifinals/Repechage)
U-M First Varsity Eight: 1st Place of 6 Teams (6:36.10)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, May 18 -- at Central/South Region Sprints Finals (Oak Ridge, Tenn.)

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The University of Michigan's No. 13-ranked first varsity eight capped off the first day of the Central/South Region Sprints with a standout, come-from-behind win in its semifinal Saturday afternoon (May 17). The Wolverines' top boat was in third place halfway through the race -- one seat behind Wisconsin, six seats behind Michigan State -- but walked through both crews late and clipped the Spartans by 0.55 seconds at the finish line with a time of 6:36.10.

Joining the first varsity eight in the A finals are the first varsity four and open four. The second varsity eight and novice eight will race in the B finals.

In U-M's first varsity eight semifinal, Michigan State held an early four-seat advantage over Wisconsin and Michigan through 250 meters. At the 500-meter mark, MSU continued to charge out ahead, leading by three seats over UW, which in turn was beating Michigan by another five seats. U-M's deficit to MSU maxed out at three-quarters of a length at 750 meters before it began its comeback. Just past 1,000 meters Michigan had gained a narrow edge on UW and had picked up significant ground on MSU. With 500 meters to go, the Wolverines were up four seats on the Badgers and just two seats behind the Spartans. The comeback was completed in the sprint as U-M hit the finish line in 6:36.10, followed by MSU (6:36.65) and UW (6:38.05), which also earned spots in Sunday's A final. Notre Dame, Louisville and Iowa received bids to the B final.

Michigan's second varsity eight fell behind early and was never able to recover, eventually finishing in fifth to advance to the B final. After 500 meters, Michigan State, Virginia and Tennessee were out in front with a full length on fourth-place Clemson, which led U-M by a seat. The Wolverines battled back and forth with Clemson for fourth, but neither crew could close the deficit on the frontrunners. UVA went on to win the race in 6:42.00. UT and MSU picked up the other berths into the A final by finishing in 6:45.62 and 6:48.92, respectively. Clemson beat U-M by 0.2 seconds to take fourth, and Central Florida was sixth.

The first varsity four garnered a third-place showing in its semifinal to advance to the A final. Four boats -- Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin -- moved out to the forefront in the opening 500 meters. UVA was in first, just ahead of Minnesota, while Michigan and Wisconsin were five seats behind vying for the all-important third position. By 1,000 meters, U-M was just ahead of the Badgers and down bow-to-stern on the Gophers, while the Cavaliers were well out in front. As UVA cruised to an open-water win, Michigan closed hard on Minnesota in the sprint and missed out on second place by just 0.65 seconds (7:40.00 to 7:40.65). Wisconsin, Central Florida and Louisville moved on to the B final.

The novice eight took fifth in its repechage to earn a place in the B final. Clemson had the early advantage in the race but was trailed closely by Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan, all of which were seeking the second berth into the A final. Clemson went on to win the race in 7:12.90, but only after fending off the Buckeyes (7:13.98). Iowa and U-M struggled in the second half of the race, placing third (7:22.47) and fourth (7:23.01), respectively, to head to the B final.

The open four rallied in its semifinal to pick up a third-place finish and a spot in the A final. At 500 meters, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Notre Dame were first, second and third, respectively, with Michigan a full length behind the Fighting Irish. While OSU and UW maintained control in front, the Wolverines walked through ND and took over third by a deck with 750 meters remaining. Michigan went on to take third over Notre Dame by open water in a time of 7:48.16. OSU won in 7:38.50, followed by UW in 7:39.29.

The finals for the Central/South Region Sprints will commence at 9 a.m. Sunday (May 18). Due to predicted poor weather conditions, the entire race order will be reversed -- the first varsity eight events will go first -- and the time between races will be narrowed from 10 minutes to seven minutes.

Complete results can be found on the Oak Ridge Rowing Association's website. Results for Sunday will be updated online after each final is completed.

AFTERNOON RESULTS

 First Varsity Eight - A/B Semifinal 1 1. Michigan 6:36.10 - advance to A final 2. Michigan State 6:36.65 - advance to A final 3. Wisconsin 6:38.05 - advance to A final 4. Notre Dame 6:40.65 - advance to B final 5. Louisville 6:51.35 - advance to B final 6. Iowa 7:01.95 - advance to B final Second Varsity Eight - A/B Semifinal 2 1. Virginia 6:42.00 - advance to A final 2. Tennessee 6:45.62 - advance to A final 3. Michigan State 6:48.92 - advance to A final 4. Clemson 6:52.78 - advance to B final 5. Michigan 6:52.98 - advance to B final 6. Central Florida 6:59.35 - advance to B final First Varsity Four - A/B Semifinal 2 1. Virginia 7:35.50 - advance to A final 2. Minnesota 7:40.00 - advance to A final 3. Michigan 7:40.65 - advance to A final 4. Wisconsin 7:42.84 - advance to B final 5. Central Florida 7:59.02 - advance to B final 6. Louisville 8:02.05 - advance to B final Novice Eight - Repechage 1 1. Clemson 7:12.90 - advance to A final 2. Ohio State 7:13.98 - advance to A final 3. Iowa 7:22.47 - advance to B final 4. Michigan 7:23.01 - advance to B final 5. Kansas State 7:31.68 - advance to B final 6. North Carolina 7:36.69 - advance to C final Open Four - A/B Semifinal 1 1. Ohio State 7:38.50 - advance to A final 2. Wisconsin 7:39.29 - advance to A final 3. Michigan 7:48.16 - advance to A final 4. Notre Dame 'B' 7:57.96 - advance to B final 5. Indiana 8:14.10 - advance to B final 6. Central Florida 8:19.42 - advance to B final

L I N E U P S

First Varsity Eight: Laura Dunn (coxswain), Adrienne Mecham, Lori Gordon, Sarah Gribler, Grace Luczak, Ashley Kroll, Karen Colwell, Cate Trumble, Julia Nelson.