Michigan
Central Region Finals
Michigan Sweeps Grande Finals at Central Region Meet
5/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The second-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team won all five races in which it participated to capture the 2001 Central Region Championships today (Sunday, May 13) on Melton Hill Lake. The Wolverines won three of the five races by open water and the top three boats (first varsity eight, second varsity eight and first varsity four) won their Grande Finals, extending each boat's season-long undefeated streak. Over the course of the season, the three boats have combined to win all 28 races in which they participated.
In the closest race of the day, the first varsity eight sealed the win for Michigan by finishing a boat-length ahead of Ohio State in the Grande Final. The race, similar to the Grande Final two weeks ago at the Big Ten Conference Championships, was close throughout the entire 2,000 meters. At the start, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State all jumped off the line and were moving ahead of the rest of the pack by the 250-meter mark. At that point, the Wolverines were one seat ahead of the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes. Through the next 750 meters, the teams held the same pattern with no boat being able to move on another. However, just after the 1,000-meter mark, Michigan took a move to distance itself from the Buckeyes. They stretched their lead to a boat-length with 100 meters remaining, and crossed the finish line stern-to-bow with the Buckeyes. Iowa, which had fallen back slightly after the 1,000-meter mark, finished third.
The second varsity eight race was much different, as the boat jumped out to a lead immediately off the start. The Wolverines steadily moved through Ohio State and Iowa to take an open-water lead 1,250 meters into the race. They continued their consistent pace to win by open water.
In one of the most dominant performances of the morning, the first varsity four started their race with a huge jump and had a boat-length lead just 500 meters into the race. They extended the lead to open water in the next 100 meters and held on to take a comfortable win.
The second varsity four captured their Grande Final in a race that was close for the first 1,000 meters. The boat was even with Ohio State and Iowa through the first 500 and took a four-seat lead at the halfway point. By the 1,250-meter mark, the boat had open water over Ohio State. The crew never looked back and won the race by over 10 seconds.
Also helping the Wolverines to the five-race sweep was the first novice eight. Facing tough competition from North Carolina and Minnesota, the Wolverines jumped to a lead at the start but were even with the Tar Heels and Gophers at the 500-meter mark. Over the second 500 meters, the race remained nearly as close with Michigan taking just a one-seat lead. However, a move just after the halfway point put the Wolverines in first for good and led them to a seven-seat lead.
In the team competition, Michigan won the regatta with 130 points. Ohio State, which finished second to U-M in three events, finished second with 74 points. Iowa was third with 49 points.
Bids for the 2001 NCAA Championships May 24-26 in Gainesville, Ga., will be announced Tuesday (May 14). The Wolverines look to receive the top bid from the Central Region and have all three NCAA-scoring boats be seeded in their respective events in order to receive advantageous placement in the heats.
Final Team Standings
Place, Team Points 1. MICHIGAN 130 2. Ohio State 74 3. Iowa 49 4. Minnesota 16 5. Michigan State 14 6. Clemson 10.5 7. Duke 10 8. North Carolina 8 9. Notre Dame 7.5 10. Kansas 7 11. Tennessee 4 12. Kansas State 2 13. Indiana 0 Cincinnati 0 Southern Methodist 0 Texas 0 Tulsa 0Sunday Results (Finals)
First Varsity Eight (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 6:37.2 40 pts. 2. Ohio State 6:39.8 32 3. Iowa 6:42.1 16 4. Michigan State 6:42.4 8 5. Notre Dame 6:53.9 4 6. Kansas 7:04.2 2 Second Varsity Eight (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 6:42.6 40 2. Ohio State 6:50.1 24 3. Iowa 6:51.2 12 4. Clemson 6:55.1 6 5. Michigan State 6:55.6 3 6. Notre Dame 7:03.6 1.5 First Varsity Four (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 7:23.6 20 2. Iowa 7:26.5 16 3. Ohio State 7:28.8 8 4. Clemson 7:39.5 4 5. Michigan State 7:39.7 2 6. Kansas 7:54.4 1 Second Varsity Four (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 7:32.7 10 2. Ohio State 7:43.7 8 3. Iowa 7:44.8 4 4. Notre Dame 7:56.9 2 5. Michigan State 7:58.8 1 6. Clemson 8:01.2 0.5 First Novice Eight (Grande Final) 1. MICHIGAN 6:53.7 20 2. Minnesota 6:55.6 16 3. North Carolina 6:59.7 8 4. Kansas 7:01.8 4 5. Ohio State 7:12.5 2 6. Iowa 7:15.8 1
Saturday Results
N O T E S
The Central Region Championships winner does not receive an automatic bid for the NCAA Championships. Bids for the national championship are awarded based on several criteria. However, because of the level of competition and the late-season date of the regatta, results from this event are heavily considered in the selection process.
The win by the first novice eight is the first for any U-M novice boat at the Central Region Championships.
This is the first time in four trips to the Central Region Championships that the Wolverines won every race in which they participated.
Michigan heads to the NCAA Championships undefeated and ranked second in the nation. So far this season, Michigan has not faced Brown, the defending national champion and the No. 1-ranked team all year.
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
