May 31, 2002

Indianapolis, Ind. – The 13th-ranked Notre Dame varsity eight crew of coxswain Cassie Markstahler, stroke Jayme Szefc, Michelle Olsgard, Ashlee Warren, Becky Luckett, Diane Price, Natalie Ladine, Katie Besson and Katherine Burnett placed seventh in the repechage heat Friday at the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships. The Irish will now race for 13th-16th place on Saturday at 11:15 a.m.

After a two-hour rain delay, Notre Dame, competing in its first-ever NCAA rowing championship, rowed much better this afternoon leading at the 1,000-meter mark. The Irish were battling with USC and Syracuse before running out of steam and falling off the pace for seventh place.

USC, ranked 15th in the nation, continued its good Championship showing, finishing first in 6:43.30. Syracuse was second in 6:45.45, followed by fourth-ranked Michigan in 6:46.72 and Washington State in 6:47.40. Cornell was fifth in 6:48.56 with Michigan State (6:50.13) and Notre Dame (6:52.56) closing out the race. USC, Syracuse and Michigan advance to Saturday’s semifinals, while Washington State, Cornell, Michigan State and the Irish compete in the “C” final.

Afternoon results from the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships
(Notre Dame Results Only)

First Varsity Eight Repechage – 1. USC 6:43.30, 2. Syracuse 6:45.45, 3. Michigan 6:46.72, 4. Washington State 6:47.40, 5. Cornell 6:48.56, 6. Michigan State 6:50.13, 7. Notre Dame 6:52.56.

Note: For complete results of all races at the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships, please go to www. ncaachampionships.org