Strong competition greets Badgers at Big Ten Championships
May 11, 2012 | Women's Rowing
May 11, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- As the Wisconsin women's rowing team prepares for the Big Ten Championships Sunday in Indianapolis, the Badgers know it could be the toughest and most exciting race in the 13-year history of the regatta.
After winning its first conference championship in 2010 and finishing third last year, Wisconsin hopes to break through and prove to be the strongest in a matchup of some of the nation's best crews.
"One of the exciting things about this year's Big Ten Championship is I think it's the strongest Big Ten Championships ever," said head coach Bebe Bryans. "It really will come down to who brings their best racing performance and I think this is one of the strongest teams I've ever been associated with, which is really fun and exciting."
Early in the season, six of the Big Ten's seven teams were ranked in the top 20 of the USRowing Coaches Poll, including four teams in the top 12. Michigan and Ohio State have split time as the highest-ranked Big Ten team, while Indiana was ranked early in the season for the first time in school history.
Wisconsin enters the Big Ten Championships ninth in the latest rankings, behind No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan. No. 14 Michigan State and No. 18 Minnesota round out the five Big Ten teams currently ranked.
"We're really excited and looking forward to racing, which is the way to go into a championship," Bryans said. "I'm really happy with this group, I know they're going to race hard and that's all you can ask as a coach."
Points will be awarded in six races to determine a Big Ten champion. Wisconsin is the third seed in the first and second varsity eight and first varsity four, while the Badgers earned the top seed in the first and second novice eight and second varsity four.
Racing begins at 8 a.m. CT Sunday. For live updates from Eagle Creek Park, follow @BadgerRowing on Twitter and the Wisconsin Women's Rowing page on Facebook.
