Varsity Four Makes NCAA Grand Final in Women's Rowing
May 28, 2005 | Women's Rowing
Wisconsin made its first grand final in NCAA rowing since 1999 when the varsity four qualified for Sunday's title race at the 2005 NCAA Division I Rowing Championships, Saturday at CSUS Aquatic Center. In other action, the UW varsity eight placed 14th, while the second varsity eight will race in the petite final on Sunday, the last day of the championships.
'We had a much better day today,' said head coach Bebe Bryans. 'All three boats raced a lot better. The four made the grand final which is really terrific. They pulled off a great performance today and are really excited about the chance to race in the grand final tomorrow.'
The Badgers began the day in style when the varsity four repechage began to open the action. In the race, the Badgers jumped out fast and cruised to one of the top two spots in the heat. After reaching 500 meters first with a split time that put all but two of its competitors out of reach from the start, the Badgers held steady over the final 1,500 meters to finish second. Brown won the repechage heat in 7:27.21, while the Badgers crossed the 2,000-meter finish line in 7:30.45. Both schools advanced to Sunday 's grand final. Yale finished a distant third in 7:39.96, falling into the petite final with fourth-place Ohio State and fifth-place Harvard.
Wisconsin has finished highest in the varsity four among its three boats in each of its previous two trips to the NCAA championships and is once again assured of its highest finish this season in the varsity four. The boat is also guaranteed to at least tie the Badgers' highest ever NCAA finish in an event as the 1999 varsity four placed sixth.
In the second varsity eight, the Badgers finished fifth in their repechage heat and dropped into Sunday's petite final. Ohio State (6:48.79) and Michigan State (6:49.03) finished first and second in the heat to advance to the second varsity eight grand final. Third-place Washington and fourth-place Harvard will join the Badgers in the petite final.
'The second varsity eight had a much better race than the time indicates,' Bryans added. 'They really improved over yesterday 's performance and are looking forward to putting a better piece together tomorrow in the petites. We are still going for the maximum team points so we can try and move up in the standings from last year.'
Competing in the varsity eight 13th-16th-place race, the Badgers placed 14th, a two-spot improvement over their 2004 result. The UW hit 500 meters in third place behind Michigan State and UCLA in the race. The Spartans went out in 1:36.83, while the Bruins went 1:37.82 and the Badgers stroked to a 1:38.98 first 500 meters. By 1,000 meters, Syracuse sealed fourth in the race and 16th overall, but the Badgers remained in third, but within striking distance of the top two spots. The boat crept closer over the third 500 and posted a furious finish to make up 1.32 seconds on UCLA and pass the Bruins. Wisconsin also closed on the Michigan State, but the Spartans held on for a .23 win in the race. The results gave MSU 13th, the Badgers 14th, UCLA 15th and Syracuse 16th.
'The varsity eight had a fabulous race in the grand final, ' concluded Bryans. 'It was really close. They were down going into the last 500 and just put on a great charge. They needed one more stroke to overtake Michigan State. It was a fabulous race from the top three boats. It was a good day and we are really excited and looking forward to finishing up strong tomorrow.'
Wisconsin will find out its fate in the varsity four at 12:45 p.m. CT on Sunday with the grand final. The second varsity eight races in the petite final at 1 p.m. CT. Wisconsin's varsity eight is finished, but the grand final of the race takes place at 2 p.m. CT.
Live results for all the races are available at www.jamcotimes.com .
