Irish beat Creighton, prep for MSU
By JEFF BALTRUZAK
Assistant Sports Editor
The women's rowing team will continue its season this weekend, taking on Michigan State on the Grand River in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday before returning to their home course in Mishawaka on Sunday to face Dayton.
The Irish are coming off a sound defeat of Creighton last Sunday. The Irish first and second varsity eights, as well as the first novice boat competed against the Bluejay's first varsity boat.
The race location had to be changed from an area near Prickett Park in Mishawaka to a more sheltered stretch of river near the Notre Dame boathouse due to brutal conditions, with 15 mph winds combined with freezing temperatures.
Because of the location change, the race was a head-style competition, with staggered boat starts. The Notre Dame first varsity boat of Katherine Burnett, Casey Buckstaff, Becky Luckett, Diane Price, Ann Marie Dillhoff, Michelle Olsgard, Ashlee Warren and captain coxswain Clare Bula ran the 1500 meter course in 5:22 to win the race.
The second varsity Irish boat coxed by Erin Kiernicki containing Katie Besson, Kerri Murphy, Erica Drennen, Courtney Mercer, Melissa Alberding, Megan Feely, Anne Starks and Leah Ashe placed second at 5:35.
Creighton was next at 5:50, followed closely by the Notre Dame's first novice boat five seconds behind.
The Irish had previously opened the season over spring break with a match race with Tennessee in Knoxville on Mar. 17.
After training all week in on Lake Loudin, the Irish dominated the first varsity eight race, beating Tennessee by 15 seconds on the 2000-meter course head to head.
Notre Dame ended up sweeping Tennessee, including a varsity four race where the Irish won by 11 seconds, and three novice races.
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 30, 2001
