University of Minnesota Athletics
ROW: Gophers Sweep No. 15 Iowa in Iowa City
4/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Minnesota won the First Varsity Eight by a time of 7:07 to 7:08.12. The Gophers’ First Varsity Eight contained Megan Flannery as the coxswain, Beth Ratterman at stroke, Cheryl Wick, Jillian Casey, Vilma Stragyte, Erika Bartkute, Laura Jatautaite, Lida Storch and Berit Tomten at bow.
Minnesota’s Second Varsity Eight continued with a win in its event as well. The Gophers clocked a time of 7:02.8, while Iowa chipped in a time of 7:14.2. Minnesota’s boat of Kristi Branigan, Katie Biese, Megan Stuhlfaut, Andrea Pierce, Heidi Bechtel, Katie Engel, Maggie Armstrong, Rachel Hotkowski and Tracey Tallman, defeated Iowa by over 12 seconds.
Minnesota also defeated Iowa in the Varsity Four race. The Gophers had two shells in the event, placing first and second, respectively. Minnesota’s First Varsity Four of Leah Gross, Tallman, Liz Ponder, Armstrong and Shauna Frank placed first with a time of 8:16.8. The Gophers’ Second Varsity Four of Kaja Tally, Angela Reesman, Tina Cho, Anja Kroll and Jennifer Sharpe finished second with a time of 8:30.76. Iowa placed third with a time of 8:41.63.
Along with sweeps in the varsity action, Minnesota won both novice races today. Minnesota won 7:15.4 to Iowa’s time of 7:48.81. The Gophers had coxswain Stephanie Holzwart, Paige Hanson at stroke, Lauren Van Proosdy, Katie Simpson, Kit Casey, Mary Ann Weinzierl, Kelsey Underdahl, Carina Enbody, and Alissa Almquist at bow were in the winning boat.
Like the Varsity Four, Minnesota placed both shells in the top two spots. Minnesota’s A boat of coxswain Alanna Hjortland, Katherine Groth, Erika Stillman, Amanda Howlett and Synnoeve Flesland won the race in a time of 8:24.9. Minnesota’s B boat of Blair Tomten, Claire Dalton, Kali Wolfgram, Jennifer Falor and Kathyn McGranahan finished second in a time of 8:48.37. Iowa placed third in a time of 9:04.9
“We are obviously very pleased with our performance today,” head coach Wendy Davis said. “Any time that you can go on someone else’s home course and sweep your opponent, you have to feel good about your results. It was another great showing of our team against a ranked opponent.”
The Golden Gophers are on the road again next week, facing Indiana, Ohio State and Southern California, April 16, in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota will be at home on April 23 against UCLA at Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Minn.
FINAL RESULTS N4+ 1. Minnesota 8:24.9 2. Minnesota 8:48.37 3. Iowa 9:04.94 V4+ 1. Minnesota 8:16.8 2. Minnesota 8:30.76 3. Iowa 8:41.63 N8+ 1. Minnesota 7:15.4 2. Iowa 7:48.81 2V8+ 1. Minnesota 7:02.8 2. Iowa 7:14.2 V8+ 1. Minnesota 7:07.0 2. Iowa 7:08.12
