Gophers' First Varsity Eight Defeats Tennessee and Notre Dame in Scrimmage - GOPHERSPORTS.COM - The Official Athletic Site of the Minnesota Gophers

Gophers' First Varsity Eight Defeats Tennessee and Notre Dame in Scrimmage
The University of Minnesota rowing team competed in a scrimmage against No. 12 Tennessee and Notre Dame, today in Knoxville, Tenn. The Gophers #$%^

won all three rounds of the First Varsity Eight 1500- meter race.

The University of Minnesota rowing team competed in a scrimmage against No. 12 Tennessee and Notre Dame, today in Knoxville, Tenn. The Gophers won all three rounds of the First Varsity Eight 1500- meter race.

Minnesota's 1V8 boat of Megan Flannery, Cheryl Wick at stroke, Berit Tomten, Laura Jatautaite, Jennifer Barnes, Jillian Casey, Vilma Stragyte, Erika Bartkute and Katie Biese clocked times of 4:50.35, 4:49.66 and 4:46.69 to win all three rounds. The Fighting Irish came second in two of the three rounds, while the host Lady Vols came in third in two of three rounds.

Minnesota's 2V8 of coxswain Leah Gross, Megan Stuhlfaut, Rachel Hotkowski, Mary Ann Weinzierl, Catherine Casey, Sally Olson, Maggie Armstrong, Heidi Bechtel and Tina Cho finished with times of 5:00.24 (winning time), 5:02.47 and 4:59.96 placing second and third overall.

The First Varsity Four finished second in the first and second races, but won the third round in a time of 5:32.92. Minnesota's team of coxswain Kaja Tally, Tracey Tallman at stroke, Katie Engel, Christine O'Donnell and Alissa Almquist. The foursome were also selected Boat of the Week for their win over Louisville last weekend.

Minnesota's Second Varsity Four of Stephanie Holzwart, Liz Ponder, Angela Reesman, Lauren VanProosdy and Kelsey Underdahl at bow won two of three races in times of 5:38.5 and 5:46.5. They finished second in the third round in a time of 5:41.4.

The First Novice Eight dominated action against Tennessee and Notre Dame, winning all three rounds. The 1N8 boat of Erica Niemic at coxswain, Emily Johnson, Emily Baxter, Ashlee Vilmo, Erin Desmond, Katie Johnson, Lisa Pugh, Stephanie Bakkum and Allison Fisher, chipped in winning times of 5:03.2, 5:09.8 and 5:09.4.

Like the 1N8, the Second Novice Eight finished with three wins. Minnesota's boat of Sarah Woessner, Julia Beni, Jessica Veit, Erika Wederquist, Lindsey Kamp, Susan Closmore, Alexandra Lacey and Samantha Thomas clocked winning times of 5:20.6, 5:20.2 and 5:30.1

"We know that this would be a tough weekend," head coach Wendy Davis said. "This has been the first week that we have had our top 16 rowers healthy since November. We are now up to speed and are racing where we want to be in the spring season. When we are healthy, it makes a big difference. From last weekend to this weekend, it made all the difference in how we raced."

Minnesota will take the remainder of March off from competition. They will resume on April, 1 and will start the Big Ten season. Minnesota faces Iowa in Iowa City.

FIRST ROUND Varsity 8+ Minnesota 4:50.35 Tennessee 4:51.70 Notre Dame 4:52.60

Varsity 4+ Tennessee 5:31.73 Minnesota 5:32.43 Notre Dame 5:40.17

2nd Varsity 8+ Tennessee 4:55.35 Minnesota 5:00.84 Notre Dame 5:06.29

2nd Varsity 4+ Minnesota 5:38.52 Tennessee 5:42.81 Notre Dame 5:50.61

Novice 8+ Minnesota 5:03.25 Notre Dame 5:10.52 Tennessee 5:22.31

2nd Novice 8+ Minnesota 5:24.60 Notre Dame 5:32.70 Tennessee 5:56.40

SECOND ROUND Varsity 8+ Minnesota 4:49.66 Tennessee 4:52.03 Notre Dame 4:53.98

Varsity 4+ Tennessee 5:45.26 Minnesota 5:45.56 Notre Dame 5:49.43

2nd Varsity 8+ Tennessee 4:57.24 Minnesota 5:02.47 Notre Dame 5:08.19

2nd Varsity 4+ Minnesota 5:46.56 Notre Dame 5:49.64 Tennessee 5:51.22

Novice 8+ Minnesota 5:09.80 Notre Dame 5:17.05 Tennessee 5:32.30

2nd Novice 8+ Minnesota 5:20.20 Notre Dame 5:34.29 Tennessee 5:58.38