April 13, 2012

The Spartan rowers are headed to Charlottesville, Virginia this weekend to take on a number of nationally-ranked crews. In addition to the top-ranked host Cavaliers, MSU will line up with No. 18 Clemson, No. 19 Minnesota, Northeastern, and Ivy League entry Pennsylvania at the UVA Invitational.

UVA Invitational Preview

UVA Invitational Schedule

In Saturday morning's session, the Spartans will line up with the top-ranked Cavaliers, who they scrimmaged during the spring break trip and are annually at the NCAA Championship regatta. In Saturday afternoon's session, MSU will see Big Ten foe Minnesota as well as Penn; on Sunday, MSU gets a look at Northeastern (the alma mater of MSU Assistant coach Christiina Donley, where she was a four-year letterwinner) as well as No. 18 Clemson.

The Spartans rebounded from a pair of tough opening-week losses to Michigan and Ohio State, knocking off both Louisville and Iowa last week in Iowa City. Michigan State checks in this week with a No. 15 ranking in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national poll.

MSU will coast-hop in for their next two competitions; after the weekend races in Virginia, the Spartans will compete next week on the west coast when they line up with Stanford and Southern California.

Directions to Lake Monticello - 41 Ashlawn Blvd., Palmyra, VA 22963:

From East/West: Take I-64 to exit 129; go right on 616 for 6 miles. Then go right on 600 for 1.5 miles. Then go right on 618 for one mile to the Lake Monticello Gate on the left. The lake is 1/4 mile straight ahead.

From South: Take 29 north to I-64 to exit 129; go right on 616 for 6 miles. Then go right 600 for 1.5 miles. Then go right on 618 for one mile to the Lake Monticello Gate on the left. The lake is 1/4 mile straight ahead.

From North: Take 29 south to Rt. 250 (Richmond exit). Stay on 250 to I-64 East (Richmond). Take I-64 E. to exit 129; go right on 616 for 6 miles. Then go right on 600 for 1.5 miles. Then go right on 618 for one mile to the Lake Monticello Gate on the left. The lake is 1/4 mile straight ahead.