Team rows to strong finish

The women's crew team rowed to a sixth place finish in the First Novice Eight at the Lexus South/Central Region Sprints last weekend in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The team's performance capped off one of the most successful seasons in the program's brief history. \nTo earn a place in last Sunday's First Novice Eight Grand Final, the Hoosiers overtook Big Ten rival Iowa in Saturday's repechage heat. Iowa had defeated the Hoosiers two weeks earlier at the Big Ten Championship. The Hoosiers finished behind fellow Big Ten competitors Ohio State, who won the race, Michigan and Michigan State, who finished third and fifth, respectively. \n"It was a very good showing," coach Mark Wilson said of the team's performance in a prepared statement. "I think the Novice has had a great season and with the returners next season, we should have a strong core for the 2003 racing season."\nAlthough the Hoosiers must look forward to next year, the spring rowing season has not yet ended. IU and U.S. Rowing will host the 2002 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships May 31-June 2 at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis.