May 19, 2002

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – During day two of the 2002 Lexus Central/Southern Sprints, the University of Notre Dame women’s rowing team placed fourth overall in the 19-team competition. Four of ND’s five shells raced in the Grand Finals, which took place on the 2,000m course on Melton Hill Lake. The Irish totaled 19.5 points, while Michigan captured the regatta crown with 106 points. Ohio State was second with 88, while Michigan State placed third with score of 66.

“I think that the caliber of racing was just fantastic,” said head coach Martin Stone. “In the Varsity 8+ and 2nd Varsity 8+ all the teams were ranked and it turned out to be a great race. I think our kids did an outstanding job and we look forward to Tuesday when the NCAA announcements come out.”

Notre Dame’s highest finish was a third-place showing in the Grand Finals of the Novice 8+ event. ND’s boat consisted of Maureen Gibbons (coxswain), Kristin Mizzi, Shannon Mohan, Meredith Thornburgh, Christy Donnelly, Rachel Polinski, Ann Mulligan, Devon Hegiman and Katie Chenoweth and they finished third in a time of 7:07.5. The third-place finish gave the Irish eight points. Ohio State finished first in 6:59.9.

The next highest finish for Notre Dame was a fourth-place finish in the Grand Finals of the Varsity 8+. The race featured five ranked teams as #3 Ohio State, #5 Michigan, #10 Michigan State, #15 Notre Dame and #20 Duke all raced for the 40 available points. The placing was reflective of the rankings, as Ohio State was first, followed by Michigan and Michigan State. The Irish shell of Cassie Markstahler(cox.), Jayme Szefc, Michelle Olsgard, Ashlee Warren, Becky Luckett, Diane Price, Natalie Ladine, Kate Besson and Katherine Burnette were fourth in 6:43.2. ND was once again awarded eight points for its showing.

The Irish picked up three points in the Grand Finals of the 2nd Varsity 8+, as the tandem of Kacy McCaffrey, Kati Sedun, Kerri Murphy, Alice Bartek, Courtney Mercer, Jacqueline Hazen, Melissa Alberding, Kathleen Welsh and Danille Protasewich placed fifth in a time of 6:59.1. The 2nd Varsity 8+ champion was Michigan in 6:51.5.

The Grand Finals of the 2nd Varsity 4+ saw ND finish sixth this time in 7:57.3. The four was made up of Caitlin Rackish (cox.), Sarah Keefer, Katie O’Hara, Katie McCaulden and Andrea Amoni and their effort resulted in Notre Dame receiving half a point. Ohio State was once again the victor in this race.

In the Petite Finals of the 1st Varsity 4+, the team of Kathryn Long (cox.), Kolleen Myers, Maureen Carr, Elizabeth Specht and Meg Feely placed first and seventh overall in 7:53.9. Michigan captured the crown in the Grand Finals

Notre Dame will now wait until Tuesday to learn their fate in regards to the NCAA Championships, which will be held in Bloomington, Ind., May 30 – June 2.

RESULTS - HEATSNovice 8+ -- Grand Finals1.  Ohio State  6:59.92.  Michigan    7:02.53.  NOTRE DAME  7:07.54.  Clemson     7:08.25.  Michigan State  7:14.46.  Indiana     7:23.5
2nd Varsity 4+ -- Grand Finals1.  Ohio State  7:35.52.  Michigan    7:49.13.  Clemson     7:50.04.  Kansas      7:54.25.  Tennessee   7:56.26.  NOTRE DAME  7:57.3
Varsity 4+ -- Petite Finals1 (7).  NOTRE DAME  7:53.92(8).   Duke        7:57.33(9).   TENNESSEE   8:01.44(10).  Iowa        8:03.45(11).  Clemson     8:17.06(12).  Miami       8:17.5
2nd Varsity 8+ -- Grand Finals1.  Michigan    6:51.52.  Michigan State  6:53.83.  Wisconsin   6:56.24.  Ohio State  6:57.55.  NOTRE DAME  6:59.16.  Iowa        7:05.7
Varsity 8+ -- Grand Finals1.  Ohio State  6:33.42.  Michigan    6:37.53.  Michigan State  6:37.84.  NOTRE DAME  6:43.25.  Texas       6:46.46.  Duke        6:47.6
STANDINGS1.  Michigan*   1062.  Ohio State* 883.  Michigan State* 664.  Notre Dame* 19.55.  Wisconsin*  126.  E. Michigan*    107.  Clemson^    88.  Kansas*     6    Texas^      610. Duke^       211. Iowa*       1.512. Indiana*    1    Minnesota*  1    Tennessee^  115. Louisville^ 0    Cincinnati* 0    Kansas State*   0    Miami (Fla.)^   0    Murray State*   0