April 22, 2003
East Lansing, Mich. – The Notre Dame rowing team fell in five of six races to 10th-ranked Michigan State on Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park in East Lansing, Mich. All crews were forced to row into a strong headwind, forcing times to be higher than normal as the Irish only won the second varsity four.
The second varsity four crew of Maureen Gibbons (cox), Kristen Mizzi (stroke), Sarah Keefer, Kristen Henkel and Jacqueline Hazen dominated its race today, winning by almost 12 seconds with a time of 8:32.70. Michigan State was second in 8:44.70, while Notre Dame’s B boat of Rebecca Campbell (cox), Courtney Quinn (stroke), Antionette Duck, Megan Sanders and Ann Mulligan was third in 9:06.10.
Michigan State’s first varsity eight set the tone for the rest of the events defeating the Irish by over eight seconds. The Spartans posted a time of 7:28.05 to defeat Notre Dame’s crew of Cassie Markstahler (cox), Natalie Ladine (stroke), Ashlee Warren, Casey Buckstaff, Rachel Polinski, Alice Bartek, Meghan Boyle, Katie Chenoweth and Danielle Protasewich, which finished in 7:36.17.
The Spartans’ second varsity eight turned in an impressive effort beating the Irish by more than 20 seconds with a time of 7:28.8. Notre Dame’s crew of Kathryn Long (cox), Shannon Mohan (stroke), Kerri Murphy, Kathleen Welsh, Meredith Thornburgh, Kati Sedun, Devon Hegeman, Erica Drennen and Melissa Felker finished in 7:49.6.
Michigan State’s other varsity victory came in the varsity four, as the Spartans’ won in 8:23.48. Notre Dame’s crew of Kacy McCaffrey (cox), Katie McCalden (stroke), Christy Donnelly, Katie O’Hara and Andrea Amoni finished in 8:33.52.
The Spartans swept the first novice and second novice eight races, posting winning times of 7:54.37 and 8:34.0, respectively. The Notre Dame first novice eight crew of Shannan Lettieri (cox), Pamela Jefson (stroke), Julie Lewis, Morgan Ertel, Danielle Stealy, Jenna Redgate, Sarah French, Andrea Doud and Catherine Schmidt posted a time of 8:08.50, while the second eight crew of Nicole Barczak (cox), Megan Sheehan (stroke), Meghan O’Neil, Nikki Karis, Fallon Shields, Laura Joyce, Marcia Luttio, Katie Hanafin and Rachel Kemp crossed the line in 8:59.10.
Notre Dame is next in action on Sunday as the Irish travel to Worcester, Mass., for the 2003 BIG EAST Rowing Challenge.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State
East Lansing, Mich.
First Varsity Eight
1. Michigan State – 7:28.05
2. Notre Dame – 7:36.17
Second Novice Eight
1. Michigan State – 8:34.0
2. Notre Dame – 8:59.10
First Novice Eight
1. Michigan State – 7:54.37
2. Notre Dame – 8:08.50
Second Varsity Four
1. Notre Dame “A” – 8:32.70
2. Michigan State – 8:44.70
3. Notre Dame “B” – 9:06.10
Varsity Four
1. Michigan State – 8:23.48
2. Notre Dame – 8:33.52
Second Varsity Eight
1. Michigan State – 7:28.8
2. Notre Dame – 7:49.6