MSU Crew Ready For NCAA Rowing Championships
5/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 23, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State crew will be making its eighth straight appearance at the NCAA Rowing Championships, which take place at CSUS Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif., from May 27-29. For the fourth straight year, the Spartans will send an entire crew (first varsity eight, second varsity eight and first varsity four) to compete against the nation's best for a team championship.
MSU's best showing at the national championships was an eighth-place finish in 2000. Last season, the Spartans finished in 12th place.
MSU Crew NCAA Notes
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*** Repeat Offender
This year's team bid to the NCAA Championship is Michigan State's sixth-ever and fourth-consecutive bid in the eight year history of the women's rowing program. The Spartans' current streak began in 2002, and the program also received back-to-back team invites in 1999 and 2000. MSU has been represented at the NCAA Championships in all eight years of the program's history as the Spartans received at-large bids for the first varsity eight in 1998 and 2001.
*** Head Coach Matt Weise
Michigan State is led by first-year head coach Matt Weise. In his inaugural season at the helm, he has guided his team to its first-ever team Big Ten Championship. Weise was also named Big Ten Coach of the Year and Central Region Coach of the Year this season. Weise spent seven seasons as an assistant for MSU before becoming head coach.
*** Lots of Depth
Michigan State's first varsity eight was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation earlier this season after winning a Big Ten Championship, but look for the second varsity eight and first varsity four boats to do just as well in this year 's NCAA Rowing Championships. The second varsity eight finished second at the Big Ten Championships and third at the South/Central Sprints. The first varsity four rowed to an individual championship at the Big Ten regatta and finished second in its race at the South/Central Sprints.
*** An Experienced Crew
Of the 23 Spartan athletes competing at the NCAA Championships, 13 have rowed in an NCAA Championship piece. Senior rower Erin Robertson has made the most previous appearances (three) at the NCAA Championships, while teammates Christen Brown and Jasmine Pickler have made two previous trips.
*** A Decorated Crew
This year's Spartan crew has several members that have been recognized for their outstanding achievements. Senior Erin Robertson leads the list, having been named the Big Ten Women's Rowing Athlete of the year, while earning a spot on the All-Big Ten first team. Joining Robertson on the first team were rowers Roz Bialczak and Christen Brown. The Spartans also placed two athletes on the second team: rower Jasmine Pickler and coxswain Beth Smith. Robertson was also recognized with a place on the CRCA All-Central Region first team. Brown was also a second-team All-Central Region selection. MSU's Anne Cowan was named Big Ten Women's Rowing Freshman of the Year, completing the Spartans' sweep of the Big Ten awards.
Players Mentioned
