Tiger Rowing Scrimmages Michigan State

March 7, 2007

Clemson, SC ­- The Tiger rowing team played host to Michigan State in a scrimmage on Wednesday morning at Lake Hartwell. Clemson won the varsity 8+ in three races. The two teams competed in 1500m pieces, which is 500m shorter than sprint racing normally seen in the spring season. Michigan State is in town on spring break.

“It was great to be able to scrimmage a strong program like Michigan State this early in the season,” said Susie Lueck, head coach at Clemson. “They are in the midst of their first week on the water and are training aggressively during their week of spring break. I appreciate the opportunity to go out and do pieces against boats that are from another program, especially a traditionally strong program like Michigan State.”

In the first varsity race, Clemson’s A squad won with a time of 5:06.60. Michigan State’s first varsity 8+ was runner-up at 5:10.90. The same lineup took the second piece for Clemson as well, this time at 5:09.20 after crossing the finish line. The first varsity 8+ for the Tigers consisted of Abbey Fernandez (coxswain), Lizzy Jennings, Suzanne Van Fleet, Brittany Cummings, Lindsay Sheppard, Jessica Leidecker, and Kristen Weinacker.

The third piece featured different lineups for the Tiger boats, but yielded the same results. Clemson’s first varsity 8+ just captured the third race with a time of 5:09.20, while the Spartans’ top crew finished second in 5:09.70.

The varsity 4+ crews from both schools competed in three pieces as well. The Tigers won each of those three events as well. The crew of Elyse Roenick (cox), Caitlin O’Neill, Ryan Greene, Kathryn Wait, and Sarah Broeker had a top time of 5:53.79 in the second 1500m piece.

The novice 8+ crews interchanged, but also competed in three pieces. Michigan State’s first novice 8+ claimed first place in each of the three races. Clemson’s best showing was a runner-up finish by the second novice 8+ in the final race. That boat had a time of 5:50.48.

Clemson will again participate in a scrimmage situation this weekend at home. Boston College and Penn will be in town for racing action on Lake Hartwell. The Clemson Challenge, the Tigers’ next official regatta, will be held March 17.