University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set to Compete Against Five Ranked Schools
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
The University of Minnesota rowing team will compete in the inaugural Lake Natoma Invitational, April 18-19 at the Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif. Nine teams will compete this weekend, including five schools with nationally ranked Varsity Eight boats. Competing in this weekend's field is No. 2 Stanford, No. 16 Wisconsin, No. 19 UCLA, No. 20 Minnesota, Tennessee (receiving votes), Texas, Central Florida and host institutions, No. 3 California and Sacramento State.
WHEN THEY COMPETE
The University of Minnesota will compete against Stanford and Sacramento State in the first session. The Gophers begin action on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. (PT) with the Varsity Four competing in the second of three lanes. Following the V4 is the Second Varsity Eight at 9 a.m. (Lane 2), while the Varsity Eight is scheduled to compete at 9:30 a.m. In the afternoon session, the Gophers will then face California and Texas in the afternoon session. The Gophers' V4 is set for 3:20 p.m., followed by the 2V8 (3:50 p.m.) and the V8 (4:20 p.m. Teams will accrue points throughout Saturday using the NCAA point structure. Saturday's total points will determine the lineups for the finals on Sunday (A final 1-3, B final 4-6, C final 7-9). Full race schedule is included in the pdf at the top of this page.
TOUGH COMPETITION
The results from the Lake Natoma Invitational could go a long way in helping teams earn selection to the NCAA Rowing Championships, considering the number of quality, complete teams from the West, Central and South Regions.
Competing in the Gophers' First Varsity Eight is Lisa Pugh, Katherine Johnson, Ashlee Vilmo, Stephanie Bakkum, Lucy Mulvey, Jenna Schuder, Sarah Graham, Cassie Drozynski and coxswain Erica Niemiec.In the Gophers' Second Varsity Eight, will be Ilana Ostrin, Michele Peterson, Emily Baxter, Allison Fisher, Erin Desmond, Rebekah Brzozowski, Tina Cho, Sarah Krueger and Molly Kalmoe. In the Varsity Four, the Gophers will have Monika Folker coxswain, Teresa Logemann, Tracy Merth, Kate Ladell and Christine Cira.
ON THE DOCKET
The University of Minnesota hosts its only home race of the spring season when Kansas comes to town on April 25th. The Gophers host the Jayhawks at Lake Phalen. Time is set for 10 a.m., but could change based off weather conditions. Check back to gophersports.com for more details during the week of the race.
Players Mentioned
