Clemson Rowing Concludes Weekend on the Water in Michigan and Clemson

March 27, 2004

Clemson rowing competed today on Lake Belleviille in Ann Arbor, MI against top ranked Michigan, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, and Michigan State. This was the Tigers first regatta against ranked competition of the season. All races took place on a 1,950 meter course.

In the 1st Varsity 8+ event both the Tigers and Notre Dame took an early lead over Michigan. By 500 meters Notre Dame had four seats on Clemson and the Tigers had four seats on Michigan. Around the 1,000 meter mark the Wolverines began to battle their way back to the lead which they took at 1,200 meters and extended to take the win in 6:19.2. Clemson continued to battle out with Notre Dame and in the last 300 meters Notre Dame pulled away to a second place finish in 6:25.0 while Clemson took third in 6:34.3. Eastern Michigan finished fourth in 6:40.2.

In the 2nd Varsity 8+ race, Michigan took the win in 6:35.0, although the real battle was for second place between Notre Dame and Clemson. By 1,000 meters the Tigers were a length up on Notre Dame but they caught a boat stopping crab which put the Fighting Irish two seats up on Clemson. The Tigers fought back through the last 500 meters to come back and take the second place spot in 6:38.0 as they defeated the Fighting Irish by a few seats and 1.7 seconds. Notre Dame was followed by Eastern Michigan who took fourth in 6:56.3.

Racing in the 1st Varsity 4+ the Tigers rowing solidly and handling the water well took fourth with a time of 7:36.1. Notre Dame took the win with a 7:14.8 finish while Michigan State earned second in 7:17.2 and Michigan place third in 7:19.9. Eastern Michigan finished the race fifth with a time of 8:02.0.

In the 1st Novice 8+ competition, has a strong second place finish defeating 2nd-ranked Michigan, Notre Dame, and Eastern Michigan while falling only to Michigan State. At the start the Tigers were bow ball to bow ball with Michigan State and Notre Dame. They soon pulled away from Notre Dame and battled it seat for seat back and forth with Michigan State down the course. The race was decided in the sprint as Michigan State earned the win in 6:47.0, while the Tigers had a second place time of 6:51.2.

Competing here in Clemson, the Novice 8+ took first overall in the Grand Finals. The Tigers had the lead by the first 500 meters and by 750 meters they had moved into open water. The crew maintained this lead and won with a time of 7:15.0. Georgia Tech came in second in 7:33.9 while the College of Charleston took third in 7:40.0. Northwestern and Emory took third and fourth in 7:55.7 and 8:04.0 respectively.

Also racing on Lake Hartwell the Varsity 8+ placed second overall in the Grand Finals. The Tigers took the lead off the start and fought to maintain it down most of the course. Heading into the last 500 meters as the leader, Georgia had a great sprint and took the win by .2 seconds. Clemson came in second in 6:56.1. Following the Tigers were Virginia Tech in third (7:13.7), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in fourth (7:23.9) and Northwestern in fifth in 7:40.3.

“All of our boats had solid races today,” said head coach Susie Lueck. “It was great competition and a good opportunity to race top programs. We learned a lot from the races that we will be able to apply through the rest of the season. We are ready to go home and prepare for San Diego.”

The Tigers will return to the water next weekend as they head to the San Diego Crew Classic.

First Varsity Eight 1. Michigan 6:19.2 2. Notre Dame 6:25.0 3. Clemson 6:34.3 4. Eastern Michigan 6:40.2

Second Varsity Eight 1. Michigan 6:35.0 2. Clemson 6:48.0 3. Notre Dame 6:49.7 4. Eastern Michigan 6:56.3

First Varsity Four 1. Notre Dame 7:14.8 2. Michigan State 7:17.2 3. Michigan 7:19.9 4. Clemson 7:36.1 5. Eastern Michigan 8:02.0

First Novice Eight 1. Michigan State 6:47.0 2. Clemson 6:51.2 3. Notre Dame 7:01.3 4. Michigan 7:10.3 5. Eastern Michigan 7:35.8

Novice 8+ – Clemson Sprints 1. Clemson 7:15.0 2. Georgia Tech 7:33.9 3. College of Charleston 7:40.0 4. Northwestern 7:55.7 5. Emory 8:04.0

Varsity 8+ – Clemson Sprints 1. Georgia 6:55.9 2. Clemson 6:56.1 3. Virginia Tech 7:13.7 4. U of Tenn. Chattanooga 7:23.9 5. Northwestern 7:40.3