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 fifth in its heat today at the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis, Ind. The Irish now race in the repechage heat Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. Notre Dame must finish in the top three of the repechage heat to advance to the semifinals otherwise, the Irish will race for 13th-16th place on Saturday at 11:15 a.m.
Notre Dame, competing in its first-ever NCAA Rowing Championship, had trouble at the start of the race today as strong winds caused its boat to improperly align with the start line. As the Irish were trying to get set, the starter began the race, but Notre Dame was not ready and did not move off the start line. The official recalled the start of the race and Notre Dame was not assessed a penalty.
Once realigned, Notre Dame jumped off to a good start and was neck and neck with crews from second-ranked Brown, fourth-ranked Yale, No. 12 Stanford and No. 15 USC for the first 1,000 meters. But then Brown showed its tremendous strength and pulled away, finishing first in heat two with a time of 6:49.20. Yale was second at 6:53.40, while Stanford was third in 6:53.43. USC placed fourth in 6:56.80, while Notre Dame was fifth in 7:05.70. Brown, Yale and Stanford advanced to Saturday’s semifinals by virtue of finishing in the top three of their respective heat, while USC and Notre Dame moved to the repechage heat.
In heat one, top-ranked Washington pulled out to almost a full boat lead after 1,000 meters and never looked back finishing with the top qualifying time of the day at 6:47.20. Harvard was second in 6:54.90, while Virginia (6:54.90), Syracuse (6:55.70), Washington State (6:56.30) and Michigan State (7:03.30) closed out heat one. Washington, Harvard and Virginia moved on to Saturday’s semifinals, while Syracuse, Washington State and Michigan will compete in the repechage race with Notre Dame.
Heat three was won by third-ranked Ohio State in a time of 6:51.60, followed by Princeton (6:53.00) and California (6:56.50). All three automatically qualified for Saturday’s semifinals, while fourth-place finisher Michigan and fifth-place Cornell will compete in the repechage heat later today.
Results from the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships
(Notre Dame Results Only)
First Varsity Eight
Heat One: 1. Washington 6:47.20, 2. Harvard 6:54.20, 3. Virginia 6:54.90, 4. Syracuse 6:55.70, 6. Washington State 6:56.30, 7. Michigan State 7:03.30
Heat Two: 1. Brown 6:49.20, 2. Yale 6:53.40, 3. Stanford 6:53.43, 4. USC 6:56.80, 5. Notre Dame 7:05.70
Heat Three: 1. Ohio State 6:51.60, 2. Princeton 6:53.00, 3. California 6:56.50, 4. Michigan 7:04.70, 5. Cornell 7:09.60.
Note: For complete results of all races at the 2002 NCAA Rowing Championships, please go to www. ncaachapionships.org