University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing Wins Five of Six Events Against Tennessee
3/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota fell to the Lady Vols in the First Varsity Eight race. Tennessee won the race by a time of 6:34.06, while Minnesota finished with a time of 6:39.68. Competing in the shell was coxswain Katherine Nelson, Jackie Gagner, Melissa Roche, Heidi Rose, Vilma Stragyt, Beth Ratterman, Andrea Pierce, Erika Bartkute and Jill Peters at bow. With the FV8 win, the Lady Vols remain undefeated in the spring season, defeating Notre Dame and Michigan State earlier this season.
Minnesota finished first in the rest of the events. The Gophers' Second Varsity Eight steam rolled to a 6:37.3, while Tennessee clocked a time of 6:43.2. Minnesota's winning boat contained Kristi Branigan as coxswain, Jenna Buskohl, Sarah Reed, Sam Wangsgard, Lida Storch, Meghan Johnson, Jillian Casey and Cheryl Wick at bow.
The Gophers won the First Varsity Four and Second Varsity Four races as well. Minnesota's FV4 finished in 7:24.8 to Tennessee's time of 7:36.2, while Minnesota's SV4 defeated the Lady Vols, 7:35.6-7:39.5.
In novice action, the Maroon and Gold won both races. The First Novice Eigth team of Carla Ballecer as coxswain, Tracey Tallman, Rachel Hotkowski, Heidi Bechtel, Liz Ponder, Sally Olson, Berit Tomten, Julia Herman and Mary Shannon Stanley won 6:47.4-6:58.5.
The Second Novice Eight shell of Melissa Hennessy, Megan Goodman, Megan Geraets, Kiira Siitari, Shuana Frank, Jennifer Sharpe, Margaret Armstrong, Laura Muskatevc and Angela Reesman won the race with a time of 6:51.7
The Golden Gophers will take the rest of the month off from competition, but will be back in action April, 3. The Gophers open the Big Ten season with a dual at Iowa. The Hawkeyes are currently ranked 20th in the country.
First Varsity Eight Tennessee 6:34.06 Minnesota 6:39.68 Second Varsity Eight Minnesota 6:37.30 Tennessee 6:43.21 First Varsity Four Minnesota 7:24.81 Tennessee 7:36.24 Second Varsity Four Minnesota 7:35.59 Tennessee 7:39.52 First Novice Eight Minnesota 6:47.40 Tennessee 6:58.50 Second Novice Eight Minnesota 6:51.70 Tennessee 7:42.30
