Crew makes case for selection committee

Just in the nick of time, the Michigan rowing team stole the spotlight it needed.

With the NCAA National Selection Committee announcing its invitees to the national championship in Sacramento, Calif., tomorrow, the Wolverines needed a major victory to catch the committee's eye.

Major victory? Try a clean sweep.

The Wolverines blew away the competition at the Lexus Central Sprints on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Saturday, winning all three NCAA-scoring races.

By winning the first varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four races, Michigan nabbed the crucial first varsity eight event for the second consecutive year.

Michigan coach Mark Rothford said the Wolverines rowed the "best races to date in each event."

And the very best was exactly what the Wolverines had to produce.

"We went into the Central Sprints knowing it would be a race to the finish." said junior Nora Obringer, a member of the team's varsity four boat. "First place was a fight."

After a disappointing finish at the Midwest Championships two weeks ago, the Wolverines slipped from a national ranking of No. 6 to No. 9. They knew they would have to demolish their competition at the Central Sprints.

The No. 1 spot in the region was already secured by perennial champ Virginia, who the Wolverines faced once in March. Michigan had to prove that it was one of the fastest teams in the nation, despite its inconsistent performances over the course of its season.

According to Rothford, "results from all schools have been inconsistent. It's anybody's guess who'll win."

Rothford actually finds this encouraging. "We know if we perform our best, we can compete with anybody."

Ten schools will earn the chance to bring their entire team to California and the national championships.

05-17-99