Indiana University Athletics
IU Ends Season with Confidence
5/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Oak Ridge, Tenn. - The Indiana Rowing team completed its season today at the 2003 Lexus Central/South Region Sprints. The Varsity 4 finished first in the C-level final, the Novice 8 placed fifth in the Petite finals, 11th overall, and the Varsity 8 placed second on the D-level finals.
Ohio State won the Lexus Cup for the first time as an overall team champion, breaking Michigan's four-year win streak. The Buckeyes tallied 76 points to edge out Virginia with 70 points, while the Wolverines placed third overall with 67. OSU also claimed the Central Region title. UVA, the only other team to have ever claimed the Lexus Cup, placed second overall and took top honors in the South Region.
The Novice 8 completed its season 11th overall in the Novice 8 event, fifth in the Petite Finals. Laura Wharen led the Novice 8 squad consisting of Amy Hoffman, Leslie Schaffer, Mary Bell, Katy Dickerson, Lauren Anderson, Elisabeth Benoit, Laura Lazaridis and Katie Slavik to a time of 6:51. Kansas won the Petite Finals, crossing the finish line in 6:46.1. Clemson placed second (6:47.6), Notre Dame was third (6:48.3), Tennessee finished fourth (6:50.6) and Miami (Fla.) rowed in behind IU in sixth place in a time of 6:52.6. Virginia won the Novice 8 Grand Finals, finishing in 6:38.5.
"The first race, the Novice 8 finished fifth overall in the finals," head coach Mark Wilson said. "They had a very consistent race and they rowed a very solid race. To end the weekend, we really felt that they had a great race. It was a very tight field and anyone could have won. Although the team was disappointed, we were happy with the performance."
The Varsity 4, who placed fifth in Saturday's Preliminary race qualifying for today's C-level final competition, was victorious, finishing in a time of 7:35.3. Representing Indiana in the Varsity 4 shell was Sarah Meyer, Annie Lawson, Amanda Walker, Casey Schoenhoft and Ashley Quinn. Kansas State rowed in behind Indiana at 7:36.4, Cincinnati clinched third (7:45.4), Eastern Michigan placed fourth (7:45.6) and Tulsa finished fifth (7:51.7) in the C-level finals.
"The Varsity 4 did exceptionally well at the C-level finals," said Wilson. "They won by one second, ten seconds ahead of the third place (Cincinnati, maybe?) boat. They did a great job and had a great row. It was a great way to end the year and a good building block heading into the summer."
The Varsity 8 rowed its fastest time ever at the Melton Hill race course, finishing second in the D-finals in a time of 6:41.5. Kansas finished first in 6:40.5 and Tulsa finished behind the Hoosiers in a time of 6:56.8. Rowing for Indiana in the Varsity 8 boat was Becky England, Erin Koers, Emily Rumschlag, Ashley Airis, Kelly Schuiling, Line Espedal, Margaret Clark, Stephanie Mast and Danielle Bird.
"The Varsity 8 had a very good row, the fastest time ever at this course and their time would have won the C-level," Wilson said. "Unfortunately, the first race means everything and we were unable to get into the C-level finals, so it was a little bittersweet."
"Overall, we feel really good about today and solid about the future. Everyone continues to get faster and this was a great way to head into the summer."
Congratulations to seniors Becky England, Erin Koers, Margaret Clark, Danielle Bird, Emily Rumschlag and Stephanie Mast for great careers at Indiana University. Good luck in your future endeavors.
