May 5, 2004

Notre Dame, Ind. - For the second consecutive week, Notre Dame is 14th in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Division I Varsity Coaches Poll. The Irish climbed three spots in the April 28 ranking after capturing its first-ever BIG EAST Challenge on April 25.

California topped the poll for the first time this season after Ohio State had held the number- one spot for six consecutive weeks. The Bears garnered 14 first-place votes and earned 393 points. Princeton moved to third in the ranking, following by Michigan, Brown, Ohio State, Yale, Virginia, Washingto and Harvard.

Michigan State starts off the second half of the poll, followed by Washington State, Tennessee, NOTRE DAME, Southern California, Cornell, Masschusetts, Boston University, Syracuse and Texas.

Notre Dame returns to action on May 15-16 when it travels to Oak Ridge, Tenn., for the Central Region Championships.

2004 USRowing/CRCA Varsity Eight Coaches Poll

1. California 393

2. Princeton 372

3. Michigan 359

4. Brown 343

5. Ohio State 330

6. Washington 255

7. Harvard 248

8. Washington 255

9. Harvard 248

10. Wisconsin 218

11. Michigan State 194

12. Washington State 191

13. Tennessee 162

14. NOTRE DAME 126

15. Southern California 111

16. Cornell 97

17. Masschusetts 83

18. Boston University 56

19. Syracuse 26

20. Texas 21