University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing Competes Against Big Ten Opponents
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Golden Gophers started the morning session against the No. 1 Varsity Eight boat in the nation, Ohio State. The Buckeyes clocked a time of 6:42.8, but the Gophers, who are receiving votes, finished just 5.5 behind OSU with a time of 6:48.0. The Gophers then defeated the Hoosiers in the afternoon session by a time of 6:55.9 to Indiana's 7:01.26. Minnesota's First Varsity Eight team consisted of coxswain Katherine Nelson, Jackie Gagner at stroke, Melissa Roche, Heidi Rose, Vilma Strageyt, Beth Ratterman, Andrea Pierce, Sam Wangsgard in the No. 2 seat and Jill Peters at bow.
Minnesota's Second Varsity Eight followed similar fashion as the FV8. The Maroon and Gold fell to OSU 6:47.3 to 6:52.7, but defeated Indiana 6:57.2 to 7:35.59. In the Second Varsity Eight, the shell contained coxswain Kristi Branigan, Jenna Buskohl, Cheryl Wick, Jillian Casey, Sarah Reed, Erika Bartkute, Katie Biese, Lida Storch and Mariel Gartner.
Both Varsity Four shells swept Big Ten competition today. The FV4 defeated OSU 7:32.3 to 8:42.3. The team of Erica Gordon, Colleen Brown, Caitlin Dowden, Meghan Johnson, and Megan Stuhlfaut won over Indiana, 7:48.6 to 8:15.03.
Minnesota's Second Varsity Four team of Melissa Hennessey, Shelby Williams, Katie Engel, Lora Sweezy, Jackie Oeth was victorious over the Buckeyes in the morning session chipping in a time of 7:54.2 to OSU's time of 8:00.8. They followed with an afternoon win of 8:06.2 to Indiana's 8:40.12.
The First Novice Eight team remained undefeated in the spring season with two wins against Big Ten opponents. Minnesota won over Ohio State, 7:05.6 to the Buckeyes' time of 7:21.9. The 1N8 swept the competition with a winning time of 7:03.1 to Indiana's time of 7:26.52. The First Novice Eight team consisted of coxswain Carla Ballecer, Tracey Tallman, Rachel Hotkowski, Heidi Bechtel, Berit Tomten, Margaret Armstrong, Kiira Siitari, Megan Geraets, Mary Shannon Stanley.
The Second Varsity Eight team of Kaja Tally, Megan Goodman, Chelsea Kania, Shauna Frank, Liz Ponder, Angela Reesman, Meredith Thompson, Julia Herman and Emily Groene won both races as well. Minnesota won over Ohio State with a time of 7:26.3 and followed with a win over Wisconsin in 7:11.3.
The Gophers host their only home spring races of the season next Saturday, April 24. Kansas and Southern Methodist visits Lake Phalen at 10 a..m.
