May 31, 2009

Complete Results:http://villanovarowing.com/ncaa/

Cherry Hill, NJ - The Michigan State rowing team wrapped up competition at the NCAA National Championship regatta on Sunday with strong performances from each of its three entries. The varsity eight, second varsity eight, and varsity four each won their respective races with strong efforts after a rough day on Saturday with fifth-place finishes in the semifinals of the varsity and second varsity races - which followed the four being relegated to the third-level final on Friday.

As a team, MSU finished in sixth place with 54 points, tying its best finish in school history. The Spartans also finished sixth in 2006 and again in 2008. Stanford won the varsity eight race with a bowball margin over Virginia, as well as the team title with 88 points. Cal (85), Yale (85), Virginia (78) and Brown (71) were the top five team finishers.

"Yesterday, our two eights kind of fell off during the middle of the race, and that kept them from challenging to get into today's grand finals," shared head coach Matt Weise. "Today, they didn't do that, and we saw how capable they were of having good races here. Its unfortunate that yesterday was such a struggle for us, but we're very happy with their results today."

Varsity Eight: (11;30 AM): MSU was in the early pack of leaders, as the Spartans, Southern Cal, and Michigan were straight across crossing the 500- and 1000-meter marks. The Spartans led by tenths of seconds at both splits, but Michigan took a two-seat lead on the field in the third 500. The Spartans refused to roll over for their archrival, and the two caught fire and left Southern Cal to third moving into the final 500 meters of the race. MSU and the Wolverines engaged in a heated battle headed into the final sprint, and the Spartans made a move ahead in the final three strokes to defeat Michigan. MSU's time was the sixth-best on the day.

Second Varsity Eight: (10:45 AM) : Michigan State, Southern Cal, and Ohio State were straight across as the crews approached the 500-meter mark, with all six boats still in contact. The next 500 meters were more of the same, but the Spartans turned it on at the 1000-meter mark to put some distance between themselves, Southern Cal, and Ohio State. The Spartans only gained more space over the balance of the race, eventually crossing the line in 6:37.83, an open-water victory over Ohio State and two lengths over Southern Cal in third.

Varsity Four: (9:45 AM) : The Spartans had the lead by the settle, with Princeton chasing and Oregon State and Dartmouth battling it out for third place. Approaching the 500 meter mark, the Spartans had a seat lead over the Tigers, and Dartmouth led Oregon State by a half-length. Heading into the second half of the race, Princeton was still chasing the Spartans and were about a half a length back, and the two crews had open water over the other two boats. Oregon State moved through Dartmouth into third place, and then tried to make a move on Princeton. The Spartans rowed strong through the second half, finally putting open water between their shell and Princeton, who was trying to hold off Oregon State. The Spartans maintained that lead across the finish line, winning the third-level final in a time of 7:29.71. The Spartans had the third-best time overall on the day - had they been in the Grand Final, their time would have taken a bronze medal.

RACING RESULTS:
Varsity Eight:
Third-Level Final: Harvard 6:24.90 ; Dartmouth 6:27.16; Oregon State 6:28.27 ; Wisconsin 6:31.90.
Petite Final: . Michigan State 6:19.05 Michigan 6:14.09; Southern Cal 6:23.37; Ohio State 6:23.39 Washington 6:25.99; Clemson 6:32.25 .
Grand Final: Stanford 6:11.95 ; Virginia 6:12.32; Cal 6:14.76; Yale 6:17.22 ; Brown 6:18.13 ; Princeton 6:24.02.

Second Varsity Eight:
Third-Level Final: Wisconsin 6:44.96; Oregon State 6:48.79; Harvard 6:51.00; Dartmouth 6:57.69
Petite Final: . Michigan State 6:37.83; Ohio State 6:42.85; Southern Cal 6:46.19; Michigan 6:49.18; Clemson 6:51.60; Princeton 6:52.97.
Grand Final: Yale 6:29.04; Cal 6:29.58; Stanford 6:31.88; Brown 6:32.93; Washington 6:34.28; Virginia 6:37.17.

Varsity Four:
Third-Level Final: Michigan State 7:29.71; Princeton 7:33.08; Oregon State 7:34.04; Dartmouth 7:47.15
Petite Final: Ohio State 7:27.14; Brown 7:28.10; Washington 7:30.68; Michigan 7:31.00; Southern Cal 7:34.71; Harvard 7:44.49.
Grand Final: Clemson 7:26.78; Wisconsin 7:28.54 ; Yale 7:30.81; Cal 7:32.01; Stanford 7:32.29 ; Virginia 7:34.26