U-M Beats Brown, Collects Cup Point vs. Michigan State

Saturday, April 9

Columbus, Ohio

9:00 AM

Michigan

Michigan State

U-M Beats Brown, Collects Cup Point vs. Michigan State

4/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Rowing

Site: Columbus, Ohio (Scioto River)
Event: #2 Michigan vs. #8 Michigan State, vs. #6 Brown
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 16 -- vs. Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin (Belleville Lake), 9 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan women's rowing team received two great efforts from its first varsity eight crew for victories over No. 8 Michigan State and No. 6 Brown on Saturday (April 9). As a team, Michigan clinched the rowing Pontiac Challenge Cup point over MSU by a collective score of 19-4. The Wolverines won the first varsity eight (nine points) and second varsity eight (six points) races vs. the Spartans while also taking the second varsity four (one point) and first novice eight (three points)races.

To start the morning set of races the U-M first varsity eight pulled out a tight race against the Spartans in a time of 6:25.1, not even half a boat length ahead of MSU. The Maize and Blue second varsity eight duplicated the first eight's success by defeating Michigan State by nine seats in 6:39.0.

MSU notched its only varsity win over U-M in the first varsity four sprint with a time of 7:34.9 to earn three points. U-M crossed the line in 7:39.2. The Michigan second varsity four beat Michigan State and Ohio State across the finish line in 7:53.0. U-M edged the Buckeyes (7:53.4) by less than a seat for the win.

In the first novice eight race Michigan wrapped up its fourth win in six races against Michigan State. The U-M second novice eight finished behind MSU but ahead of OSU in its race. MSU earned one point by beating out the Wolverines.

The Wolverines first varsity eight went head-to-head with the Bears through 1,500 meters in the afternoon session. In the final quarter of the race U-M pulled away to clock in at 6:45.2. Brown trailed in 6:51.1. The second varsity eight lost its race over Brown (6:56.0) by open water in 7:04.6.

Since Brown did not race a four, U-M's first varsity four opposed Rutgers and won handily, 7:58.7 to 8:14.9. Just like in the morning, the second varsity four race ended up Michigan (8:06.3), Ohio State, Michigan State. Brown's first novice eight beat Michigan's, and the second novice eight finish was MSU, OSU, U-M.

Michigan will host Iowa, No. 14 Wisconsin and No. 19 Minnesota next Saturday (April 16) at Belleville Lake. The event will be last for Michigan in the regular season.

RESULTS

Morning Session

First Varsity Eight 1. Michigan 6:25.1 2. Michigan State 6:26.9 Second Varsity Eight 1. Michigan 6:39.0 2. Michigan State 6:41.9 First Varsity Four 1. Michigan State 7:34.9 2. Michigan 7:39.2 Second Varsity Four 1. Michigan 7:53.0 2. Ohio State 7:53.4 3. Michigan State 8:03.2 First Novice Eight 1. Michigan 6:44.1 2. Michigan State 6:46.7 Second Novice Eight 1. Michigan State 7:16.6 2. Michigan 7:30.9 3. Ohio State 7:36.0

Afternoon Session

First Varsity Eight 1. Michigan 6:45.2 2. Brown 6:51.1 Second Varsity Eight 1. Brown 6:56.0 2. Michigan 7:04.6 First Varsity Four 1. Michigan 7:58.7 2. Rutgers 8:14.9 Second Varsity Four 1. Michigan 8:06.3 2. Ohio State 8:11.3 3. Michigan State 8:11.9 First Novice Eight 1. Brown 6:59.9 2. Michigan 7:04.1 Second Novice Eight 1. Michigan State 7:34.0 2. Ohio State 7:48.6 3. Michigan 7:50.4

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Mark Rothstein
On defeating Michigan State ... "I was very happy with our racing in the morning. Also, we're happy to contribute a point for Michigan to the Pontiac Challenge Cup race against Michigan State. I thought we raced very well."

On finishing the day well against Brown and next week's challenges ... "We raced very well against Brown. The first varsity eight race was a great race. It was a lot closer than it looks on paper. There was no separation between the boats through the first 1,500 meters. Next week we'll see some fast crews in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin coming to Belleville. I think the team understands that it needs to continue to improve in order to be successful as we move into the postseason."

Michigan Lineups

First Varsity Eight -- Tara Medina (coxswain), Sarah Trowbridge, Crystal Culp, Leah Ketcheson, Janine Hanson, Cristin McCarty, Emily Shea, Brett Sickler, Stesha Carle.