Indiana University Athletics
CREW COMPETES WELL AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
4/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
CREW COMPETES WELL AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Madison, Wis. - The Indiana crew made a strong impression despite a sixth place finish at the first ever Big Ten Women's Rowing Championship Saturday. The 1850 meter course at Wingra Lake is the home facility for Wisconsin.
"We did a very good job against some very experienced crews today," said IU head coach Mark Wilson. "The Big Ten is the best conference in the country for rowing. All of the other teams are ranked and at least three will be at the NCAA Championships."
Only three boats count for scoring at the Big Ten Championships: the first varsity eight, the second varsity eight, and the first varsity four. The Hoosiers finished sixth in all three races, but showed that they will be a strong competitor in the near future.
IU did pick up a couple of individual honors as juniors Beth Lund and Katy Ostertag made the first ever All-Big Ten team for rowing. Lund earned first team honors and Ostertag was named to the second team. Both were members of the first varsity eight that finished sixth with a time of 6:50.05.
"We had a good day," said Lund. "But we learned that we have a lot of work to do to compete with these teams."
Senior stroke Caitlin Skinner was also pleased with the effort of the eight.
"We came in as the underdog and rowed past our potential," Skinner said. "I'm really proud of everybody."
Indiana sophomore Mary Hubbard, the coxswain for the first varsity eight, was happy with her boat, but also learned a lot from the tough competition.
" We did really well today. The whole boat stepped it up and performed to its potential," said Hubbard "We also gained a lot of experience today. These boats are among the best in the country, and we can learn a lot from competing with them."
The IU varsity four also took sixth, finishing in 7:59.41. The Hoosiers went head to head with Ohio State in the petite final (consolation). IU started slow, but moved on the Buckeyes from the 750 meter mark to about 1400 meters before fading away. The second varsity eight finished its petite final in 7:01.71. The Hoosiers stayed with Wisconsin for about 600 meters before fading back.
The Hoosiers also competed in two non-scoring events: the first novice eight and the second varsity four. The novice eight recorded IU's best finish, taking fourth in the grand final (championship). Indiana stayed even with Michigan for almost a 1000 meters and never really let them go, but the Wolverines were faster by 2.65 seconds.
The second varsity four also looked strong, competing for fourth against an experienced Iowa boat at the end of the race. The Hoosiers finished 2.02 second behind the Hawkeyes after a strong showing. IU started well and was just ahead of Michigan and Iowa after 750 meters. The Wolverines then made a surge to pull away as IU and Iowa fought to the end.
The Hoosiers continue their inaugural season May 13-14 at the Central Region Qualifier in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
IU FIRST VARSITY EIGHT
Cox, Mary Hubbard
Caitlin Skinner
Rachel Johnson
Beth Lund
Margaret Clark
Clair Shepley
Angie Langreck
Joanna McCallister
Katy Ostertag
IU SECOND VARSITY EIGHT
Cox, Kit Campbell
Emily Coblenz
Katie Fitzgerald
Mary Spanburg
Lauren Reiner
Meg Gallegar
Danielle Bird
Casey Chiles
Kristen Woolley
IU FIRST VARSITY FOUR
Cox, Lesley Stout
Kate Ridge
Dawn Reiss
Alyce Eisener
Erin Punter
IU SECOND VARSITY FOUR
Cox, Carmen Blisset
Amy Roble
Debbie Elliott
Suzanne Wade
Gosia Czech
IU FIRST NOVICE EIGHT
Cox, Becky England
Erin Koers
Eliza Peoples
Stephanie Mast
Emily Rumschlag
Nicci Spalding
Kelly Krise
Molly Fetzer
Jessica Tapola
TEAM SCORES
1. Michigan 41
2. Michigan State 35
3. Ohio State 28
4. Wisconsin 25
5. Iowa 21
6. INDIANA 12
ALL BIG-TEN
First Team
BETH LUND, INDIANA
Meghan Martin, Iowa
Katie Hammes, Wisconsin
Connie Kirsch, Ohio State
Renee Olin, Michigan State
Liz Shuster, Michigan State
Belinda Koo, Michigan
Jaime Stilson, Michigan
Kate Johnson, Michigan
Second Team
KATY OSTERTAG, INDIANA
Angela Leone, Iowa
Jyll Rademacher, Wisconsin
Megan Hura, Ohio State
Phaedra Giblin, Ohio State
Angela Lound, Michigan State
Nicole DeMott, Michigan State
Laurel Donell-Fink, Michigan
Sophie Roberge, Michigan
