Tiger Rowing Records Landmark Day in Michigan

March 24, 2007

Belleville, MI – Saturday marked a landmark afternoon in the short history of Clemson’s rowing program. The Tigers took on nationally-ranked teams Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame in the varsity 8+, and led the entire 2000m race from start to finish. It marked Clemson’s first-ever wins over Michigan and Michigan State in a varsity 8+ race.

“The rowers were really excited and confident coming into today,” said Susie Lueck, head coach at Clemson. “It was a lot of fun to come up here and get great results. We look forward to competing next weekend in San Diego.”

Heading into the regatta, Notre Dame was ranked 11th in the nation by US Rowing/CRCA (Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association). Michigan State and Michigan were ranked 14th and 15th, respectively. The varsity 8+ victory was magnified even more by the fact that the Spartans finished sixth and the Fighting Irish ninth as a team at the 2006 NCAA Rowing Championships. Michigan State’s varsity 8+ was sixth in last year’s grand final, while Notre Dame’s crew won the petite final.

Clemson jumped out to a three or four-seat lead at the 250m mark and stretched its lead to a couple more seats by the 500m point. By the 1000m mark, Clemson led bow-to-stern over Notre Dame and those two boats had open water over Michigan and Michigan State. After the Irish closed in slightly, Clemson picked up its rate and won by just under a boat length. The Tigers’ time was 6:51.36, its best of the season thus far.

The Tigers finished third in the second varsity 8+ race, crossing the finish line ahead of Notre Dame. Clemson was up on Michigan through the 200m mark of the race, but by 500m, Michigan State made a move to get up five or six seats on the field. Clemson stayed right with Michigan up until the 1000m mark. At 1500m, the Spartans led comfortably but the Wolverines pulled up bow-to-stern on the Tigers. Clemson finished solidly ahead of Notre Dame, crossing the finish line in 7:10.67.