October 20, 2007

Site: Boston, Mass. (Charles River)
Event: Michigan at Head of the Charles
First Varsity Four Finish: 1st Place of 31 Teams
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 4-- at American Heritage (Wyandotte, Mich.)

Varsity Four Wins Head of the Charles

Boston, MASS-- The University of Michigan men’s rowing team earned their first medal ever at one of the nation’s most prestigious rowing events this Saturday, October 20 in Boston, Massachusetts, winning the gold in the Collegiate Four at the Head of the Charles on the Charles River. 

After the first mile, the Wolverines had posted the seventh fastest time as they passed the Riverside Boat Club.  The Maize and Blue climbed a few more spots in the second leg, with a time of 9.29.380 after two miles.  Down the stretch however, the Michigan crew of Chris Lemerand (cox), Jim Wojcik (stern), Jordan Wyrwa (2nd seat), Matt Zoufaly (3rd seat) and John Talbert (bow) poured it on, with the best finish out of all the crews.  Key to their success was the ability of Chris Lemerand to guide the boat through the traffic of slower boats that had started their run earlier. 

The Michigan squad will be back on the water in two weeks at the American Heritage River Fall Classic in Wyandotte, MI on November 4. 

Results

Men's Collegiate Four
(31 total competitors)

 1. MICHIGAN                          17:10.678
 2. University of British Columbia    17:14.064
 3. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy      17:16.607
 4. Rochester Institute of Technology 17:26.742
 5. Wesleyan University               17:26.883
 6. Boston College                    17:27.038
 7. Lehigh University                 17:38.211
 8. Northwestern University           17:41.278
 9. University of Massachusetts       17:44.521
10. Emory University                  17:47.358