April 30, 2011

MADISON, Wis. -- Racing with the aid of historic flows and a moderate tailwind on the Connecticut River, No. 6 Wisconsin's varsity eight, second varsity eight and freshmen eight swept No. 13 Dartmouth and MIT to capture the Cochrane Cup on Saturday in Hanover, N.H. The victories, in incredible times for 2000 meters, gave the Badgers the Cochrane Cup for the sixth consecutive year and 33rd time since the teams began racing in 1961.

"The varsity and the second varsity both finished in 4:37, which were the fastest times I've ever heard for a 2K," said Head Coach Chris Clark.

In the varsity eight race, the Badgers officially clocked a 4:37.76, besting Dartmouth by 1.5 seconds.

"The varsity had a rough start, which was not good," said Clark. "They were down at the start for a ways, but once they lengthened out into their base pace, the whole race turned in about two minutes. We went from down to open water up in about minute and a half rowing at a fairly low rate - 34 or 35. We got up a quarter length at the most and had a real controlled last 500."

The second varsity eight actually posted the day's fastest time, clocking a 4:37.68. Dartmouth's second varsity eight finished in 4:42.58, while the Big Green's third varsity eight finished in 4:54.80.

"The second varsity really had the best race," Clark explained. "They were out like a shot. They were in the lead and out by open water in no more than a minute or two. They look very controlled."

In the final race of the day, UW's freshmen eight went 4:40.44 to beat Dartmouth by 3.02 seconds. MIT's freshmen eight was third in 4:54.31.

"The freshmen eight was behind a bit, but came through to win," stated Clark. "They won by about a length, which is pretty good.

"They made some changes from a couple of weeks ago and I think we have some pretty good guys waiting at home. We have a pretty deep group of freshmen."

UW races again on Sunday, this time against No. 5 Boston University on the Charles River in Boston. The winner takes home the Jablonic Cup.

"We are on our way to Boston now," said Clark. "We are pleased to win any race, let along all three. Now we are on our way to race Boston University's undefeated varsity eight, so it should be good."

Cochrane Cup
(vs. Dartmouth and MIT)
Hanover, N.H.
Connecticut River
April 30, 2011
2000 meters

Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 4:37.76; 2. Dartmouth, 4:39.26
UW Lineup - Coxswain Anthony Altimari, Andrew Gallagher, Michael Kaufman, Tim Aghai, Luke Juckett, Daniel Gengler, Matthew Hinkamp, Cody Rissman, Sam Hoidal

Second Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 4:37.68; 2. Dartmouth, 4:42.58; 3. Dartmouth 3V, 4:54.80
UW Lineup - Coxswain Michael Patinkin, Dave Lucas, Christopher Stiles, Daniel Moore, Liam Saunders, Dan Agostinacchio, Zach Rodenbough, Ryan Thompson, Ben Ruble

Freshmen Eight
1. Wisconsin, 4:40.44; 2. Dartmouth, 4:43.46; 3. MIT, 4:54.31
UW Lineup - Coxswain Leonard Manning, Travis Breunig, Alec Schlemmer, Matt Sobotka, Logan Heitpas, Kevin Ripley, Ross McCaig, Mitchell King, Michael Lindberg