May 13, 2001

Oak Ridge, Tenn. - Notre Dame, ranked 16th in the nation, concluded the 2001 regular season as the varsity eight took fifth place, the second varsity eight finished in sixth place and the second varsity four was fourth in the grand finals at the Lexus Central Sprints on the waters on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The varsity eight team of Katherine Burnett, Diane Price, Becky Luckett, Casey Buckstaff, Michelle Olsgard, Ashlee Warren, Ann Marie Dillhoff, Jayme Szefc and Claire Bula placed fifth in a time of 6:53.9. Second-ranked Michigan was first in 6:37.2, followed by No. 8 Ohio State 6:39.8. Twelfth-ranked Iowa was third (6:42.1), followed by No. 13 Michigan State (6:42.4).

The varsity eight crew still has an outside chance of qualifying for the NCAA championships May 24-26 in Lake Lanier, Ga., with invitations to be extended Tuesday, May 15.

The Irish second varsity eight of Leah Ashe, Anne Starks, Maureen Carr, Melissa Alberding, Courtney Mercer, Erica Drennen, Kerri Murphy, Katie Besson and Erin Kiernicki finished sixth in the grand final in a time of 7:03.6. Michigan won the second varsity eight title in 6:42.6, followed by Ohio State (6:50.1), Iowa (6:51.2), Clemson (6:55.1) and Michigan State (6:55.60).

The second varsity four was fourth in its grand final in 7:56.9. Michigan, who won the team competition with 120 points, took first in 7:32.7, followed by Ohio State (7:43.7) and Iowa (7:44.8).

The varsity four won the petite final today to finish seventh overall. The Irish outdistanced the field in a time of 7:48.0. Texas was well behind in 7:54.5, followed by Tennessee (7:56.7), Indiana (8:05.8), SMU (8:13.8) and Tulsa (8:34.0).

The first novice eight placed third in its grand final heat with a time 7:11.5. Cincinnati was first in 7:09.6, followed by Duke (7:11.2). SMU was fourth in 7:12.6, with Michigan State fifth in 7:58.8 and Clemson in 8:01.2.