May 17, 2009

Finals Results
Final Standings
Semifinal Results
Preliminary Results
Day One Release

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The third-ranked Michigan State rowing team earned second place in the Central Region, and third overall with 332 points, at the Aramark South/Central Sprints, hosted by the University of Tennessee on Melton Hill Lake on Sunday (May 17). The Spartans' best finisher at the event was the second varsity eight, which finished second overall after clocking in at 6:13.40, just 0.40 seconds behind first-place Virginia. Virginia finished first overall with 387 points while Michigan won the Central Region with 348 points and placed second.

"I thought that we had a mediocre performance after a mediocre two weeks of practice, and we really didn't see the progress that we needed to see heading into the weekend." head coach Matt Weise said. "I still think that we will still get a bid to nationals, but we will have to put together a better race plan in the next two weeks."

This season marks the ninth time that the Spartans have finished fifth or better at the South/Central Sprints since 1998. The Spartans' day began in the Petite Final of the second varsity four, where the crew clocked in at 7:11.40, earning fourth in the final and 10th overall. The 10th-place finish earned MSU eight total team points. Up next was the novice eight Petite Final and the Spartans saw similar results. The crew finished the 2000-meter course in 6:38.00, also placing fourth in its final and 10th overall, earning 12 points in the team competition.

The varsity four turned in the best performance of the three Spartan crews in Petite Finals as it placed second in its heat and eighth overall. The varsity four crossed the finish line in 7:01.60, earning 36 total points for the team.

Moving to the Grand Finals, the second varsity eight was in the most highly-contested race during the Grand Finals. Despite clocking in at 6:13.40, a time that was better than six varsity eight crews on the day, the second varsity eight finished just 0.40 seconds behind Virginia, who claimed top honors in the event. The second-place nod earned MSU 114 points in the team competition.

The varsity eight, which had been undefeated coming into the Sprints, placed third in its Grand Final after posting a time of 6:07.70, trailing both Virginia and Michigan, who placed first and second, respectively.

MSU will await the announcement of NCAA National Regatta bids on Tuesday, May 19 at 5 p.m. If given a berth, the Spartans will have qualified for the National Regatta in 11 of the last 12 seasons. For all the latest on Spartan rowing, check back with www.msuspartans.com.