Michigan Athletics: Excellence in Sports and Leadership

University of Michigan Athletics: Wolverines Make Waves at Big Ten Championships

Location: Indianapolis, Ind. (Eagle Creek Park)
First Varsity Eight Finish: 6:10.09 (3rd of 6, Grand Final)
Team Finish: 212 points (3rd of 11)
Next U-M Event: Fri-Sun., May 30-June 1 – NCAA Championships, West Windsor, N.J. (TBD)

A Stellar Performance Under Sunny Skies

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Michigan rowing program, ranked No. 10 nationally, showcased an impressive performance at the Big Ten Championship, clinching a third-place finish overall on Sunday, May 18. The Wolverines made their mark with four bronze medal boats in the grand finals: the 1V8, 2V8, 1V4, and 2V4.

The excitement on finals day was palpable, featuring a total of 14 races, with both petite and grand finals across all seven boat classes. The Wolverines set the tone by securing spots in the grand finals during Saturday’s heats, hinting at a formidable day of fierce competition.

Basking in sunny blue skies and 60-degree weather, Eagle Creek Park served as the picturesque backdrop for a thrilling showdown, dominated by the powerhouse Washington Huskies, who finished with an impressive seven first-place finishes.

Wolverines Rowing: A Battle for Bronze

Entering the 1V8 race, Michigan was firmly positioned in third place and successfully maintained this standing. The race began competitively, with the Wolverines matching strokes with Washington and Rutgers through the first 1,000 meters. In fact, at certain points, they even held a three-seat lead.

As the race progressed into the next 500 meters, the Huskies powered ahead and left Michigan in a gripping battle for second place with Rutgers. Despite their best efforts in the final sprint, Michigan couldn’t grab the silver but earned a commendable bronze medal and 81 points, securing their place among the elite.

Similarly, the 2V8 followed suit, finishing third amidst the Huskies’ dominance. Two lanes away from rival Rutgers, the Wolverines found themselves in a desperate struggle for second place. They clung on valiantly, finishing strong for a 54-point performance.

The 2V4 was the first of Michigan’s boats to find the podium, engaging in a fierce battle for second place with Rutgers. However, as they entered the final 1,000 meters, the Scarlet Knights managed to pull ahead, with Michigan finishing comfortably in third to earn 18 points.

In the 1V4 grand final, a nail-biting contest unfolded, with Michigan, Rutgers, and Minnesota battling it out for second place while the Huskies maintained their lead. As the Wolverines made a late push against Rutgers, they evened the score at the 250-meter mark, but fell short by just two seats in a thrilling finish.

As the finals day wrapped up, the 2N8, 1N8, and 3V4 finals offered exciting yet bittersweet moments for the Wolverines, contributing three fourth-place finishes.

Looking Ahead: The NCAA Championships

With the Big Ten Champion Washington securing their spot as the conference’s only automatic qualifier for the upcoming NCAA Championships (scheduled for May 30-June 1 at Lake Carnegie in West Windsor, N.J.), the anticipation builds as the Wolverines await the NCAA Selection announcement on Tuesday, May 20.

Results Overview

Team Standings:

1. Washington – 264 points
2. Rutgers – 239 points
3. MICHIGAN – 212 points
4. Indiana – 158 points
5. Ohio State – 135 points
6. USC – 131 points
7. Minnesota – 127 points
8. Michigan State – 125 points
9. UCLA – 72 points
10. Iowa – 66 points
11. Wisconsin – 53 points

Individual Boat Results

First Varsity Eight:

1. Washington – 6:05.23
2. Rutgers – 6:06.08
3. MICHIGAN – 6:10.09
4. Indiana – 6:12.34
5. Michigan State – 6:17.78
6. Ohio State – 6:21.12

Second Varsity Eight:

1. Washington – 6:11.67
2. Rutgers – 6:17.62
3. MICHIGAN – 6:23.80
4. Indiana – 6:32.01
5. USC – 6:32.69
6. Minnesota – 6:33.72

First Varsity Four:

1. Washington – 6:53.52
2. Rutgers – 6:56.87
3. MICHIGAN – 6:57.54
4. Ohio State – 7:02.35
5. Minnesota – 7:06.39
6. Indiana – 7:17.75

Second Varsity Four:

1. Washington – 6:58.34
2. Rutgers – 6:59.96
3. MICHIGAN – 7:07.13
4. USC – 7:14.86
5. Ohio State – 7:15.86
6. Minnesota – 7:20.92

Third Varsity Four:

1. Washington – 7:03.15
2. Rutgers – 7:06.43
3. Ohio State – 7:11.07
4. MICHIGAN – 7:13.60
5. USC – 7:36.57
6. Indiana – 7:47.82

First Novice Eight:

1. Washington – 6:31.87
2. Rutgers – 6:35.29
3. Ohio State – 6:38.35
4. MICHIGAN – 6:39.50
5. Michigan State – 6:43.99
6. Minnesota – 6:45.05

Second Novice Eight:

1. Washington – 6:41.71
2. Ohio State – 6:45.68
3. Rutgers – 6:53.56
4. MICHIGAN – 6:57.28
5. UCLA – 6:59.16
6. Michigan State – 6:59.71

Michigan Lineups

1V8: Logan Roeder (coxswain), Leia Till, Gabrielle Graves, Katie Easton, Amy Newton, Sara Houben, Jana Peachey, Carla Russell, Autumn Crowe

2V8: Isabela Pimentel (coxswain), Gracie Landefeld, Gretel Ham, Leah Miller, Abigail Dent, Madeleine Lauriault, Deanna Macolino, Abby Hathaway, Zara Bongiorno

1V4: Grace Hammis, Sinéad Erasmus, Madeson Scott, Leija Murphy, Talia Daft (coxswain)

2V4: Emma Kerkau, Halle Loveday, Olive Pascoe, Maddy Matos, Lillie Gregory (coxswain)

3V4: Olivia Hemker, Ansley Vicars, Megan Higley, Grace Harte, Rumaysa Siddiqi (coxswain)

1N8: Catalina Echavarria (coxswain), Ava Harrington, Kiley Locke, Isobel Block, Tacey Moore, Ayelel Meyen, Megan Arntz, Ava Fox, Ava Mardis

2N8: Ava Faraj (coxswain), Lucie Belknap, Alex Morales, Madison Dakin, Julia Webber, Catherine Alcantara, Adrianna Getzloff, Nicole Granovsky, Lily Palmerino

As the Wolverines prepare for the NCAA Championships, their resilience and determination on the water continue to inspire fans and followers alike. Stay tuned for updates as they aim to convert their hard-earned experiences into success on a national stage!