University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Conclude Regional Sprints with Two Grand Final Appearances
5/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Minnesota competed in two Grand Finals today in the First Varsity Eight and the First Varsity Four. Minnesota's First Varsity Eight boat of Megan Flannery, Cheryl Wick at stroke, Berit Tomten, Jillian Casey, Jennifer Barnes, Laura Jatautaite, Vilma Stragyte, Erika Bartkute and Katie Biese at bow came in fifth in the Grand Final. Notre Dame won the race in a time of 6:26.00, while Big Ten champion Ohio State finished second in 6:26.82, Tennessee in third in 6:27.34 and Wisconsin in fourth in a time of 6:28.79. Michigan rounded out the final with a sixth-place finish and a time of 6:31.85.
The Gophers' First Varsity Four competed in the Grand Final today and also placed fifth overall. Coxswain Kaja Tally, Tracey Tallman at stroke, Katie Engel, Christine O' Donnell and Alissa Almquist added a time of 7:34.35, while Virginia won the race in a time of 7: 22.00.
Minnesota's Second Varsity Eight competed in the Petite Final and won the event in a time of 6:41.90. Minnesota's boat of coxswain Leah Gross, Megan Stuhlfaut at stroke, Rachel Hotkowski, Mary Ann Weinzierl, Catherine Casey, Sally Olson, Maggie Armstrong, Heidi Bechtel and Tina Cho cruised to a win over Tennessee (6: 42.84 and Louisville (6:50.82).
"This is a huge step for us in the program," head coach Wendy Davis said. "To make the Grand Final against two of the toughest regions is a major step forward. It was tremendous that our Second Varsity Eight won the Petite Final. We beat Tennessee, who beat Princeton earlier in the season and they are the No. 1 team in the nation. It just goes to show how competitive these two regions are in the nation and we're right in the thick of it."
The Gophers hope to qualify to their first NCAA Championships, May 26-28 in West Windsor, N.J. The Maroon and Gold will find out next week if they will advance to the national championships. If the Gophers advance, it will be their first appearance at the NCAA Championships.
VARSITY 8+ (Grand Final)
1) Notre Dame 6:26.00
2) Ohio State 6:26.82
3) Tennessee 6:27.34
4) Wisconsin 6:28.79
5) Minnesota 6:29.07
6) Michigan 6:31.85
VARSITY 4+ (Grand Final)
1) Virginia 7:22.00
2) Ohio State 7:26.95
3) Wisconsin 7:29.60
4) Michigan State 7:31.18
5) Minnesota 7:34.35
6) Michigan 7:39.99
II VARSITY 8+ (Petite Final)
1) Minnesota 6:41.90
2) Tennessee 6:42.84
3) Louisville 6:50.82
4) Duke 6:53.68
5) Texas 6:54.07
6) Central Florida 6:58.65
Players Mentioned
