March 4, 2008

SEASON STARTS WEDNESDAY FOR SPARTANS
The Spartan crews kick off the 2008 season in Clemson, S.C., facing the Clemson Tigers Wednesday, March 5 at 9 a.m. The races will include Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+ and Second Varsity 4+ crews as well as Novice 8+ boats; each boat will compete in three heats of 1,500 meters each.

PDF of Complete Notes: Click Here

In Wednesday's races against the Tigers, the varsity eight flights will run at 9 a.m., 9:30 and 10:10, while the varsity four crews at 9:10, 9:40 and 10:10. For the novice eight boats, heats begin at 9:20 a.m., and continue at 9:50 and 10:20.

"We're just looking for a rhythm," said head coach Matt Weise. "We haven't been on the water since early January, but we know our training on the ergs will convert to the boats in the water. We're excited to get out there and row."

Last year, the Spartans traveled to Clemson for a spring event. The Spartan second eight and first novice eight both won their best-of-three contest.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson is coming off a successful fall season in which they posted the highest finish in school history at the Head of the Charles Regatta. The Tigers look to build upon this success during the spring season with the help of 25 returning letterwinners, including United States National Team member Suzanne Van Fleet.

SPOUTING OFF
Listen to MSU rowers preview upcoming races and talk about their 2008 challenges and goals by logging onto www.msuspartans.com, and checking out Michigan State's podcasts. This week, senior Kate Burdick and Anne Cowan talk about preparing for the spring season, and their hopes of returning to the NCAA Championships.

Kate Burdick: Click here
Anne Cowan: Click here

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ROWING
Michigan State rowing is celebrating its 10th year as a varsity program with a dinner on Saturday, April 5 at the newly-revamped boathouse. Student-athletes, alumni and family are welcome to attend.

Rowing officially became a varsity sport for MSU in 1998, and Michigan State has established a distinguished winning tradition. The Spartans claimed their first Big Ten Championship in 2005, scoring 130 points with first-place finishes from their varsity eight and varsity four boats.

On the national scale, MSU has qualified for nine NCAA tournaments, finishing as high as sixth in 2006. The Spartans scored a program-best 40 points behind sixth-place finishes from their varsity eight and varsity four boats; additionally, the second varsity eight crew finished seventh.

For more information regarding the anniversary dinner, please contact assistant coach Christiina Tymoszewicz.

Christiina Tymoszewicz (Office) 517-432-5661 tymoszewicz@ath.msu.edu

UP NEXT FOR THE SPARTANS
The Spartans continue their spring break road trip through the east with races against Virginia on Saturday, March 8.