Murray State University Athletics
Racers compete at Washington (Mo.)
4/10/2005 5:00:00 AM
In the varsity eights, Murray State took second place with a time of 5 minutes, 43.07 seconds over the 1,700-meter (1.1-mile) course, just 5.22 seconds behind winner Creighton and 0.52 seconds ahead of the Washington boat. Creighton B finished in fourth with a time of 5:56.
In the varsity fours, MSU took second with a time of 6:12.56, 5.17 seconds behind winner Creighton. Washington was third at 6:19.23, while Saint Louis was fourth at 6:26.06, Creighton C was fifth at 6:32.08 and the Creighton Rowing Club was sixth at 6:40.69.
A junior-varsity fours race took place, involving those members f the varsity eights who did not row with the varsity fours. Murray State was second with a time of 5:03.38, 5.16 seconds behind winner Creighton. Washington's lightweight boat was third at 5:14.32, while Creighton's lightweight boat was fourth at 5:19.32.
In the novice eights, Murray State led for the first half of the race, but faltered midway through the course, allowing Creighton to overpass them. MSU finished with a time of 6:14.15, still just 27.47 seconds behind Creighton and 5.16 seconds behind second-place Creighton Rowing Club. Missouri finished fourth with a time of 7:06.22.
"Our program has gotten a lot faster," said MSU head coach Bill McLean. "A number of coaches came up to me this weekend and said, 'You guys are definitely increased the speed of your program.' We're definitely making inroads. We are very good, and I'm very excited about this team."
Murray State will next compete on April 16-17 at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
