Michigan State University
NCAA Championships
Spartans Place 11th At NCAA Women's Rowing Championships
6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
June 1, 2003
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - On the final day of racing at the 2003 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships, the Michigan State second varsity eight and varsity four boats placed in the top 10 nationally. The Spartans finished 11th as a team at the championships held at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis.
"It was a great day of racing," said MSU head coach Bebe Bryans. "Everybody really raced well. The varsity four had its best race of the season. It followed the race plan and went out to win, as did the second varsity eight.
"This team is closer and racing better than it ever has. The placings speak volumes for the level of competition in the sport across the country, but we are definitely improving. Because we raced well this weekend, the team sees that it is time to take the next step and they are anxious to do it. This year's team has laid a great base for years to come. Next year, we'll look to capitalize on the experience we got this season."
The MSU varsity four placed third in the petite final to place ninth at the championships. The Spartans finished with a time of 7:40.01, less than one second behind second-place Virginia (7:39.05) and less than two seconds behind first-place Washington (7:38.02). Michigan State held a slim lead at the 1,000 and 1,500-meter marks, but was unable to hold on for the victory.
In the second varsity eight petite final, Michigan State rowed a 6:40.92 to place fourth and finish 10th nationally. The Spartans were less than one second behind second-place Yale (6:40.05) and just more than two seconds behind first-place Virginia (6:38.28).
As a team, Michigan State finished with 16 team points to place 11th. The Spartans received six team points from the first varsity eight, which won the C Final on Saturday, six from the second varsity eight and four from the varsity four. Harvard used a victory in the first varsity eight grand final to win the team competition with 59 team points.
Sunday Results (MSU races only)
Final Team Results1. Harvard 59 points2. Brown 573. Washington 554. Michigan 515. California 436. Virginia 41t-7. Princeton 38t-7. Ohio State 389. Stanford 3310. Yale 2711. Michigan State 1612. Washington State 10
Second Varsity Eight - Petite Final(Places 7-12)1. Virginia 6:38.282. Yale 6:40.053. Michigan 6:40.324. Michigan State 6:40.925. Washington State 6:43.586. Stanford 6:45.60
First Varsity Four - Petite Final(Places 7-12)1. Washington 7:38.022. Virginia 7:39.053. Michigan State 7:40.014. Washington State 7:43.045. Princeton 7:45.096. Stanford 7:56.00
