FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

MIKE FERRY '97 COMPETES IN THE SYDNEY OLYMPICS

LEWISTON, Maine -- Mike Ferry '97 and crewmate Henry Nuzum ended Olympic competition on Sept. 22, 2000 by placing second in the consolation finals, good for eighth overall at the competition. The US double scull team finished just over one second behind the consolation winners from France, 6:20.72 to 6:21.71.

Ferry and Nuzum placed third in their heat on Sept. 17, the first day of the double sculls at Olympic rowing competition. The heat was won by the Olympic favorites and world champions from Slovenia. Ferry and Nuzum finished in 6:37, 14 seconds off the pace. Their time was the sixth best among those headed to the repechage phase, which gives those crews that did not win the initial three heats another chance to reach the semifinals.

In the repechage phase Sept. 19, Ferry and Nuzum finished second to advance to the semifinals. Ferry and Nuzum clocked a 6:34.56 to finish 2.26 seconds behind Poland. Ferry and Nuzum drew a tough semifinal. The duo will have to face the defending world champions from Slovenia, Hungary, perennial power Germany, Denmark, and Estonia in the race on Sept. 21.

Ferry and Nuzum finished fourth in their semifinal to earn a berth in the consolation final, which determined places 7-12. Ferry and Nuzum stroked a 6:28.49 to finish 12.08 seconds behind the heat winners and defending world champions from Slovenia. Slovenia won the heat in a time of 6:16.41. Germany finished 3.99 seconds back in second place, while Hungary claimed the last spot in the finals with a time of 6:23.81. In the other semifinal, Norway, Italy, and Poland advanced. Norway won the race in a time of 6:23.50. Italy finished second, 1.49 seconds behind the Norwegians, while Poland finished in a 6:31.26