The University of Minnesota's First Varsity Eight earned its second Boat of the Week honor this spring and the program's third honor this season, announced today by the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota's Second Varsity Eight won the award on March 14, followed by the 1V8 honor on March 21.

The Gophers' 1V8 boat of coxswain Megan Flannery, Laura Jatautaite at stroke, and Cheryl Wick, Jenny Barnes, Erika Bartkute, Vilma Stragyte, Sally Olson, Berit Tomten and Jenna Buskohl at bow defeated both Iowa and Wisconsin in commanding fashion this past weekend at Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Minn. In the morning round, the No. 11 Gophers crossed the finish line with a time of 6:40.92, over an eight-second split from Iowa's mark of 6:49.24. Minnesota then followed with a win over No. 15 Wisconsin in the afternoon session. The Maroon and Gold held a commanding lead throughout the race, jumping out to nearly a boat-length lead in the first 250 meters of the race. The Gophers finished with a time of 6:23.81, nearly nine seconds ahead of the Badgers in 6:32.36.

The Gophers' 1V8 and the rest of the team are at home for the second straight weekend as they host Kansas, Saturday, April 21, at Lake Phalen. The single dual is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.