May 18, 2008

Oak Ridge, TN - The Clemson rowing team had a record-setting performance at the Aramark South/Central Sprints this weekend. The Tigers finished in sixth place overall and second in the South region, the highest finish in school history.

After a strong performance yesterday, the Varsity 8+ crew competed in the grand finals this morning. The Tigers competed against a highly talented field, which included #9 Virginia, #5 Michigan State, #13 Michigan, and #6 Tennessee. Clemson finished fourth behind Virginia, Michigan State, and Michigan with a time of 6:38.10. The Varsity 8+ consisted of Jessica Leidecker, Suzanne Van Fleet, Brittany Cummings, Megan Bendik, Liz Robb, Hilary Cumbest, Ford Heiner, Michelle Nance, and Elyse Roenick (coxswain).

The Second Varsity 8+ competed in the B Final and finished in third place with a time of 6:56.8 behind Minnesota and Michigan.

The Varsity 4+ crew also made it to the grand finals this morning. They finished in sixth place with a time of 7:41.10.

The ACC Champion Novice 8+ crew participated in the grand finals as well. With a time of 7:14.10, they finished fourth behind Wisconsin, Virginia, and Central Florida.

In the final action of the morning for the Tigers, the Second Varsity 4+ crew came in second in the B Finals. They finished with a time of 7:53.8 behind Notre Dame.

"We are very proud of this team," said Head Coach Richard Ruggieri. They represented Clemson at the highest level and I believe are deserving of an NCAA Bid. In the end they needed to be at their best and they were."