Women's rowing selected to NCAA championships
May 17, 2011 | Women's Rowing
May 17, 2011
MADISON, Wis. -- In what turned out as a dramatic announcement for the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing program, the Badgers found out on Tuesday that they are one of 16 teams invited to compete at the 2011 NCAA Rowing Championships. The event takes place May 27-29 at Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River, Calif.
With the field announced by varsity eight heat, the Badgers heard their name called last with language implying the final team was new to the NCAA championships. The Badgers also heard their name with what seemed like a drawn-out "Wes" at the start of Wisconsin, making it sound as if it was another school with the final bid.
“We had hoped to have another shot to show our best speed because I don’t think we’ve shown our best speed in any of the three boats," said Head Coach Bebe Bryans. "We have what at this point is an extra shot for us. Hopefully we’ll find that best speed and end the season most of the goals we set for ourselves.”
The Badgers are veterans of seven previous NCAA championships and will make their fourth consecutive trip to the event. The bid marks the first time in school history the program will compete in four straight championships. It also marks the sixth trip in seven seasons under the guidance of Bryans.
The Badgers finished seventh at the 2010 NCAA Rowing Championships for the team's highest finish.
In addition to Wisconsin, three other Big Ten schools made the field, including Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
The remaining 12 teams in the field include Brown, California, Clemson, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, USC, Stanford, Washington, Washington State, Yale and defending-champion Virginia.
Wisconsin's NCAA Heats
Varsity Eight
Heat 3
Stanford, USC, Washington State, Ohio State, Harvard, Wisconsin
Second Varsity Eight
Heat 3
Virginia, California, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Washington State, Harvard
Varsity Four
Heat 2
Washington, Wisconsin, Washington State, Yale, Harvard
