Women's Rowing Fourth at NCAA Regionals
May 18, 2008 | Women's Rowing
MADISON, Wis. ' Thanks to top-five finishes in the varsity eight and second varsity eight, as well as a novice eight title, Wisconsin took fourth out of 22 teams at the two-day 2008 NCAA Central/South Regionals in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Wisconsin earned 348 points to claim fourth, just three points behind third-place Ohio State. Virginia captured the overall title with 407 points, while Michigan State took second, overall, and first among Central region teams with 371 points.
'We did a great job today,' said head coach Bebe Bryans. 'I 'm really proud of the whole team. I think we brought what we had and the novice eight led the way with their win. '
In the headline race, Wisconsin's varsity eight placed fifth in a time of 6:40.10 for 2000 meters. Virginia won the race in 6:33.60, while Michigan State's 6:35.80 and Michigan's 6:37.00 rounded out the medalists. Clemson grabbed fourth with a 6:38.10.
In the second varsity eight, Big Ten champion Wisconsin placed fourth, clocking a 6:44.30, just over a second behind third-place Notre Dame (6:43.20). Ohio State won the second varsity eight crown with a 6:39.20, while Virginia was second in 6:42.10.
'Our varsity eight and second varsity eight placed well,' analyzed Bryans. 'They were all really extraordinary close races and good races from start to finish.'
In the final race involving boats that race at the NCAA championships, the UW won the petite final to finish seventh overall. The Badgers cruised to a nearly four-second victory in the petite final, while Michigan State, Virginia and Ohio State captured the top three spots overall.
The UW captured its second novice eight title in three years at the regional. The Badgers' time of 7:00.50 was 4.5 seconds faster than second-place Virginia.
'That was really extraordinary,' Bryans explained. 'They had a great race. It was pretty tight for the first 1000 meters , then they just stroke by stroke pulled away from Virginia.'
The Badgers also grabbed third place in the open four event, finishing behind Michigan State and Ohio State, and edging Notre Dame by less than a second.
'Now we wait and see,' Bryans said about the team's NCAA hopes. 'I think we've got a really solid shot at it. We performed well. We are not completely in control of our own destiny so we have to wait a little bit. We 'll see what happens on Tuesday. I'm pretty confident that things are going to go our way and we'll still be racing in a couple of weeks.'
The 12-team field for the 2008 NCAA Rowing Championships will be announced live at NCAA.com on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT. An addition four at-large varsity eight boats will also earn an invitation to the Sacramento, Calif., event. The 2008 championships take place May 30-June 1.
