May 15, 2000

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The youthful Duke rowing team placed fifth out of 14 teams at the Lexus Central Region Sprints Saturday and Sunday May 13-14. The Blue Devils earned 28 points to place fifth out of the 14 competing teams. Michigan (79 team points) won the event followed by Michigan State (54), Ohio State (51), Clemson (34) and Duke (28). Duke was led by its First Novice 8 squad which placed first in its competition on Sunday with a 6:45.7 time. The crew edged both Notre Dame (6:49.4) and Louisville (6:49.8) for the the title and took home the event's victory cup. The Blue Devils advanced to the Grand Final on Saturday witha first-place 6:45.7 performance.

The Blue Devil First Varsity4 crew also advanced to Sunday's Grand Final. Duke finished fourth in its race against Clemson, Indiana and Iowa in a 7:51.5 time. The Blue Devils placed third in Sunday's finals with a 7:57.5 timing.

In addition, Duke's second novice 8 crew placed second out of five teams in its Sunday race (7:25.0 time).

The regatta marks the conclusion of Duke's 2000 rowing season.

FINAL TEAM SCORING
1. Michigan 79, 2. Michigan State 54, 3. Ohio State 51, 4. Clemson 34, 5. DUKE 28, 6. Iowa 27, 7. Louisville 26, 8. Kansas 16, 9. Texas 4, 10. Notre Dame 3.5, 11. Indiana 3, 12. North Carolina 2, 12. Tennessee 2, 14. Miami 1.5, DNS- Creighton, Kansas State, Murray State, SMU, Tulsa.

DUKE'S EVENT-BY-EVENT SCORING
Saturday, May 13
Second Varsity 4- Duke (4th of 4), 8:55.9
First Varsity 4- Duke (3rd of 5), 8:28.1

Saturday Semifinals
First Novice 8- Duke (1st of 5), 6:45.7
First Varsity 4- Duke (4th of 4), 7:51.5

Sunday Finals
Second Varsity 4- Duke (1st of 2), 7:20.6
First Varsity 4- Duke (3rd of 5), 7:57.5
Second Novice 8- Duke (2nd of 5), 7:25.0
First Novice 8- Duke (1st of 6), 6:50.4 (team champions)