University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing Finishes Midwest Sprints with Three Second-Place Finishes
4/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Golden Gophers finished first in the heats, with a time of 7:46.20. Minnesota's other Varsity Four finished right behind the first boat with a time of 7:57.07. With the Gophers gaining the top two spots, they advanced to the Grand Final. Only six teams are invited to compete in the grand finals, while the rest fall to the petite finals. However, Wisconsin claimed the first place medal in finals race. The Badgers came in first in the Grand Final with a time of 7:59.70. Minnesota's first boat with Katie Testin at coxswain, Patricia Whitney, Anna Bartels, Alison Zylstra and Nina Palmer ended the day with a second-place finish, 14 seconds behind the winning boat. Minnesota B consisting of Ashley Carpenter, Katie Nelson, Katie Douglas, Lauren Frana and Elyse Christenson, came in third 8:31.74. The Varsity Four competed against 18 boats in all.
The first Novice Eight team started strong with a win in the heats, but finished second in the Grand Final. The Gophers ended with a time of 7:31.59, five seconds off the winning Wisconsin boat. The boat that finished second in the Grand Finals was Jane Crawford at coxswain, Sarah Underdahl, Ashley Arndt, Katie Thurstin, Shandi Hanevik, Beth Ratterman, Jessi Johnson, Kirsten Kosloske and Samantha Schwartz. Minnesota's second Novice Eight boat competed in the Grand Finals only. With Heather Anderson at coxswain, Jessica Pfeffer, Stacy Compton, Lida Storch, Kelly Underwood, Taylor Miller, Lora Sweezy, Jessica Wichmann and Jennifer Quade, the boat finished second behind the Badgers.
"Overall, I thought we raced very well this weekend," assistant coach Aubrey Borland said.
The Gophers will prepare for the Big Ten Championships next weekend. Minnesota is one of seven Big Ten institutions to have crew. This year's competition is hosted by Michigan State, May 4.
Grand Final-Women's Varsity Four Team Time Time Off 1. Wisconsin A 7:59.70 - 2. Minnesota A 8:13.77 0:14.07 3. Minnesota B 8:31.74 0:32.04 4. Washington 8:39.91 0:38.21 5. Northwestern A 8:51.01 0:51.31 Wisconsin Ltwt A DNS Novice Eight Grand Final Team Time Time Off 1. Wisconsin 7:26.53 - 2. Minnesota 7:31.59 0:05.06 3. Kansas 8:18.19 0:51.16 4. St Thomas 8:31.59 1:00.06 5. Lawrence 9:23.38 1:56.85 Wisconsin Ltwt DNS Novice Eight Grand Final Only Team Time Time Off 1. Wisconsin 7:45.54 - 2. Minnesota 8:13.99 0:28.45 3. Marquette 9:44.55 1:59.01
