University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing Wins One out of Two Races Against UCLA
4/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota's novice eight boat remained undefeated in the spring season when the Maroon and Gold clocked a time of 6:43.3 to win the event. UCLA followed with a time of 6:52.6, while the second UCLA boat timed 7:19.5. The winning boat consisted of coxswain Carla Ballecer, Tracey Tallman, Rachel Hotkowski, Heidi Bechtel, Berit Tomten, Margaret Armstrong, Liz Ponder, Megan Geraets and Mary Shannon Stanley at bow.
However, the Gophers fell to UCLA in the varsity race. The Bruins clocked a 6:36.7, while Minnesota finished in a time of 6:39.8. UCLA also had a second varsity eight boat in the race, finishing with a time of 6:53.1. In the varsity eight shell was coxswain Katherine Nelson, Jackie Gagner, Melissa Roche, Heidi Rose, Vilma Stragyt, Beth Ratterman, Andrea Pierce, Sam Wangsgard and Jill Peters at bow.
It was the second time in two years that the Golden Gophers have faced the Bruins. Minnesota won last year's varsity eight race, but fell in the novice competition. It was Minnesota's first varsity loss to the Bruins. Conditions included tailwinds in a 2000-meter race course.
The Gophers will head to Bloomington, Ind. to participate in Big Ten Racing next weekend (note-this is not the Big Ten Championships. The conference championships will be May 1, in Iowa City, Iowa).
