Crew Competes at Central Regional Championships
5/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 12, 2001
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The Michigan State crew team finished up day one competition at the Lexus Central Sprints on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Central Sprints continue with the Grande Final Sunday (May 13).
MSU had a successful first day as all four boats (First Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, First Varsity Four and Second Varsity Four) advanced to the Grande Final on Sunday. The Grande Finals will have a familiar feel to it as Big Ten opponents Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan each have boats in the races.
Michigan State's first varsity eight won in a time of 6:47.6 in heat three of the morning session. MSU placed second in the semifinals (3:37.7) narrowly defeating Notre Dame (6:38.7) in route to the Grande Final. Big Ten-rival Ohio State won the semifinal (6:35.4).
In the second varsity eight, MSU placed third in the morning heat (7:04.9) behind Michigan and Iowa. The Spartans advanced to the Grande Final by winning the repechage in a time of 7:00.8, seconds ahead of second-place Notre Dame (7:04.70) and third-place Kansas (7:09.0). MSU, Notre Dame and Kansas battled back-and-forth before the Spartans took control midway through the course to capture the win.
The first novice eight opened the day with a fourth-place finish (7:31.8) in heat 1. MSU improved its time by six seconds in the afternoon session taking third in the repechage (7:25.8). North Carolina was first, while Iowa finished second.
MSU's first varsity four placed second to Michigan in the morning session. MSU crossed the finish line in 7:56.5, while Michigan won the event in 7:37.6 to advance directly to the final. MSU advanced to the Grande Final by placing second in the afternoon session in a time of 7:45.7, just three seconds behind first-place Clemson (7:42.8).