Michigan Off to Strong Start at Central/South Region Sprints

Saturday, May 17

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

9:00 AM

Michigan

Central/South Region Heats

Michigan Off to Strong Start 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 (Heats)
U-M First Varsity Eight: 1st Place of 6 Teams (6:38.60)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 17 -- Central/South Region Sprints Semifinals (Oak Ridge, Tenn.)

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team had a strong start to the 2008 Central/South Region Sprints on Saturday morning (May 17) as all four of its varsity boats advanced to the A/B semifinals, which will be held later this afternoon. The first varsity eight led the way with its first-place finish, while the second varsity eight and both varsity fours turned in runner-up finishes in their morning heats. Each boat needs a top-three finish in this afternoon's A/B semifinals to advance to Sunday's (May 18) A finals.

The Wolverine first varsity eight triumph was of the come-from-behind variety. Early on at 250 meters, Ohio State held a three-seat advantage over U-M, while Central Florida and Texas were going for third place. OSU expanded its lead over U-M to six seats at 500 meters. At that point it was a two-boat race with U-M holding a full length lead over UCF and UT. Michigan started to move near the 1,000-meter mark, and by 1,250 meters it had trimmed its deficit to three seats. In the final 500 meters, U-M walked through the Buckeyes and won in a time of 6:38.60 for a five-seat win. Texas took third to earn the last A/B semifinal berth.

Michigan's second varsity eight had a strong showing in the morning heat by finishing second. The top three advancing boats from the heat were all from the Big Ten. Right from the start the race was between Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Through 500 meters, the Badgers held a two-seat lead on U-M, while the Wolverines were up a deck on the Golden Gophers. The placing remained the same at the midpoint of the race, although the spacing between the crews was at roughly four seats apiece. In the third leg of the race U-M kept pace with Wisconsin while pulling away from third-place Minnesota. U-M was content to stay in second place and advance to the afternoon A/B semifinals by finishing in a time of 6:45.35. UW won in 6:43.50 and Minnesota was the final A/B semifinal qualifier in 6:48.61.

Michigan's first varsity four qualified for its A/B semifinal with a runner-up finish in its morning heat. U-M, Michigan State and Tennessee were quickly out in front 250 meters into the race. The Spartans had half a length on U-M and UT by 500 meters. The battle for second place went back and forth through the middle portion of the race, but the Wolverines had a very good finish, taking second place in 7:31.19, 6.33 seconds ahead of the Volunteers and 5.19 behind the winner, Michigan State.

The novice eight boat will compete in the afternoon repechages after placing fifth in its heat. Wisconsin earned the automatic bid to the A final tomorrow by taking first in 6:48.70. UW and second-place Virginia were clearly the top boats in the heat. Finishers three through six were separated by just 5.40 seconds as the group stayed in a pack down the majority of the course. Michigan's time was 7:08.50, only 0.18 second off fourth-place North Carolina.

Michigan's heat in the open four heat was wide open. The Wolverines were second behind Michigan State, which was ahead by open water early and won in 7:37.00. U-M's second-place time of 7:46.51 was close to eight seconds in front of the third-place Cavaliers.

The semifinals will begin later this afternoon at 2 p.m.

MORNING RESULTS

 First Varsity Eight - Heat 4 1. Michigan 6:38.60 - advance to A/B semifinal 2. Ohio State 6:40.07 - advance to A/B semifinal 3. Texas 6:47.99 - advance to A/B semifinal 4. Central Florida 6:49.70 - advance to C/D semifinal 5. South Methodist 7:13.92 - advance to C/D semifinal 6. Murray State 7:17.48 - advance to C/D semifinal Second Varsity Eight - Heat 1 1. Wisconsin 6:43.50 - advance to A/B semifinal 2. Michigan 6:45.35 - advance to A/B semifinal 3. Minnesota 6:48.61 - advance to A/B semifinal 4. Duke 7:05.78 - advance to C/D semifinal 5. North Carolina 7:13.00 - advance to C/D semifinal First Varsity Four - Heat 1 1. Michigan State 7:26.00 - advance to A/B semifinal 2. Michigan 7:31.19 - advance to A/B semifinal 3. Tennessee 7:37.52 - advance to A/B semifinal 4. Iowa 7:44.52 - advance to C/D semifinal 5. North Carolina 8:02.83 - advance to C/D semifinal Novice Eight - Heat 1 1. Wisconsin 6:48.70 - advance to A final 2. Virginia 6:56.01 - advance to repechages 3. Clemson 7:05.60 - advance to repechages 4. North Carolina 7:08.32 - advance to repechages 5. Michigan 7:08.50 - advance to repechages 6. Kansas 7:11.00 - advance to repechages 7. Kansas State 7:33.47 - advance to repechages Open Four - Heat 2 1. Michigan State 7:37.00 - advance to A/B semifinal 2. Michigan 7:46.51 - advance to A/B semifinal 3. Virginia 7:54.96 - advance to A/B semifinal 4. Indiana 8:10.25 - advance to C/D semifinal 5. Louisville 8:14.56 - advance to C/D semifinal 6. Tennessee 'B' 9:09.35 - advance to C/D semifinal

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.