Second Eights in NCAA final

The Tennessee Lady Vols scored a program first at the NCAA rowing championships Saturday with the Second Eights shell qualifying for UT's first grand final.

The shell of coxswain Sydney Newman, Nina Dobratz, Marisa Mohan, Laura Miller, Kate Snider, Melissa Toms, Caroline Howell, Rachel Dooley and Genevieve Collins finished second in its repechage race at Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif. The Lady Vols' time of 6 minutes, 51.84 seconds, which trailed Washington, earning one of the six berths in today's grand final.

Since the UT shell can finish no worst that sixth in today's race, it will set another team standard as well. UT's previous best NCAA finish was eighth at last year's event.

Ohio State, Virginia, Cal, Brown and Washington will be the other shells in the grand final.

UT's varsity four, meanwhile, qualified for today's petite final, finished fifth in its repechage event in 7:54.46.

Tennessee's First Eights also will compete today on the final day of the event, taking part in the "C" final.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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