University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing 2003-04 Season in Review
6/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
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MInnesota Completes Season at Lexus Sprints
The Golden Gopher rowing team finished the 2003-04 season atthe Lexus Central/South Sprints, placing eighth out of 23 teams.The Maroon and Gold earned 264 team points and finished sixthin the central region. Virginia won the competition with 404points, while No. 3 Ohio State finished second. Minnesota'svarsity eight and varsity four shells competed at the sprints.Minnesota's Varsity Four finished second in the B Final behindMichigan State. The Gophers' First Varsity Eight faced toughcompetition in the B Final, placing third overall finishing in 6:54.0.For the first time in Golden Gopher history, Minnesota had itsSecond Varsity Eight earn a spot in the regional Grand Final. TheGophers finished sixth in the event with a time of 6:58.8 Virginiawon the race with a time of 6:44.5, while Big Ten ChampionMichigan placed second with a time of 6:49.5. The Gopher shellcontained coxswain Kristi Branigan, Jenna Buskohl, Cheryl Wick,Jillian Casey, Sarah Reed, Erika Bartkute, Katie Biese, LidaStorch and Mariel Gartner at bow.
Melissa Roche Earns Third All-AmericaHonor
Melissa Roche was named a second-teamAll-Americaselection, announced by the Collegiate Rowing CoachesAssociation. It is the third straight season that Roche has beennamed an All-Big Ten, All-Region and All-America selection.Roche rowed in every Varsity Eight race for the Golden Gophersin both the fall and spring seasons in 2003-04. As a member ofthe First Varsity Eight, Roche aided the Gophers to a 22nd-placefinish at the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta and a win atthe Head of the Iowa. Minnesota then opened the spring seasonwith wins over Louisville and Iowa. The Gophers finished theregular season with a home dual win over Kansas and SMU toearn Big Ten Boat of the Week honors.
