Michigan State University
Cardinal Invitational
MSU Caps Strong Opening Weekend in Tennessee
3/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
East Lansing, Mich. -- The Michigan State rowing team, receiving votes in the pre-season Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national poll, capped a strong opening weekend at the Cardinal Invitational on Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Sunday.
The Spartan varsity eight outpaced Big Ten foe Minnesota by a full length in the varsity eight race, clocked in a time of 6:37.90 – the fourth-best time of any varsity eight on the lake on Sunday morning - and more than two lengths ahead of both Central Florida and West Virginia. The Golden Gophers took wins in the second varsity and both fours, but the Spartans well outpaced the Knights and Mountaineers in those races, with open-water margins over both. Minnesota’s 2V8 was less than half a second behind it’s own varsity eight entry.
The novice eights and second novice eights raced in the same heat on Sunday, both finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of Central Florida. The novice eight was clocked in a time of 7:05.333, and the second novice in 7:19.446.
“The varsity eight led the day again, and I think we have seen a lot of growth from that crew, but from all of our boats as we trained the last week over our spring break,” noted Weise at the end of competition. “A length ahead of another Big Ten crew is a good way to finish strong today for that V8. I really think that the second varsity eight made some really positive strides this week and are on the verge of figuring out some things that are going to allow us to gain speed. I think we’re really very encouraged by the progress of all of our crews. We have two weeks to continue that progress before we get back on the water for a race, and we’re going to be able to use this as a springboard for what we hope to accomplish.”
The Spartans are back in action on March 25 when the Spartans will tangle with No. 12 Indiana in Ann Arbor on Belleville Lake.
OAK RIDGE CARDINAL INVITAITONAL – FINAL SESSION
Varsity Eight: Michigan State 6:37.90; Minnesota 6:41.809; Central Florida 6:46.124; West Virginia 7:03.912
Second Varsity Eight : Minnesota 6:42.254; Michigan State 6:59.707; Central Florida 7:07.314; West Virginia 7:11.238
First Varsity Four: Minnesota 7:36.050; Michigan State 7:51.120; Central Florida 7:58.116; West Virginia 8:20.984
Second Varsity Four Minnesota 7:50.970; Central Florida 8:11.675; Michigan State 8:18.369
Novice Eight/Third Varsity Eight Michigan State N8 7:05.333; Michigan State 2N8 7:19.446; Central Florida 7:41.537
