April 12, 2008

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Michigan State rowing completed day one of the Virginia Invitational Saturday, picking up novice eight and varsity four wins against Virginia, and second varsity four, second varsity eight and varsity wins for a sweep against Oregon State. The Spartans will continue tournament action Sunday morning, with races against Central Florida starting at 8:10 a.m.

Complete Results

"This morning was really just a lost opportunity on our part for the varsity eight," said head coach Matt Weise. "We were up on Virginia in the first 500, then it almost seemed like we panicked because we were ahead. Then we stopped rowing with confidence, which allowed Virginia to row through and win."

MSU fought hard in the morning action, not only battling the Cavaliers but also fighting swirling crosswinds and rough water. The novice eight picked up the first win for the Spartans, clocking in at 6:58.0, nearly five seconds ahead of UVA'a `A' boat and over 30 seconds before UVA's `B' crew. The second varsity four `B' came in second to UVA's B and C boats, finishing at 7:39.1. The varsity four crew easily defeated the Cavaliers with a 7:19.0 time. Both the second varsity eight and varsity eight boats narrowly fell to Virginia.

Regrouping for the afternoon dual, Michigan State earned wins in all three races against the Beavers. MSU's varsity four `A' and `B' boats breezed past Oregon State, as the crews finished at 7:32.7 and 7:42.6, respectively, while OSU clocked in at 7:55.5. The second varsity eight crew finished just tenths of a second ahead of the Beavers, recording a 6:48.1 time against Oregon State's 6:48.6 time. And after dropping a strong lead against the Cavaliers in the morning, MSU's varsity eight finished at 6:32.5 over the Beavers' 6:38.8.