University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, April 4
Oak Ridge, TN
2:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Rocky Top Invitational
Players Mentioned
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Photo by: Christopher Mitchell
'U' Rowing Set for Rocky Top Invitational April 4-5
4/3/2025 6:30:00 PM | Rowing
Gophers official spring opener starts Friday
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gophers officially begin the spring portion of the rowing season April 4-5 at the inaugural Rocky Top Invitational at Melton Hill Lake. Minnesota is sending four boats to eastern Tennessee for the regatta, hosted by the fifth-ranked Lady Vols of Tennessee.
The Maroon and Gold are joined by No. 17 Central Florida, Clemson, No. 14 Duke, and No. 20 North Carolina as the other teams competing in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Eleven heat races are scheduled for Friday afternoon to begin the racing with 11 finals set to be completed Saturday morning.
Projected Schedule (times listed in CST and subject to change)
Friday
2:15 p.m. - 2V4 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
2:45 p.m. - 1V4 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
3:15 p.m. - 2V8 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
3:45 p.m. - 1V8 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
Saturday
8:45 a.m. - 2V4 Final 2
9:00 a.m. - 2V4 Final 1
9:15 a.m. - 1V4 Final 2
9:30 a.m. - 1V4 Final 1
9:45 a.m. - 2V8 Final 2
10:00 a.m. - 2V8 Final 1
10:15 a.m. - 1V8 Final 2
10:30 a.m. - 1V8 Final 1
Projected Lineup (subject to change)
1V4 - Misha Shah (cox), Jaden Deutscher, Nuala Macfarlane, Sophia Pirigyi, Emily Franke
2V4 - Annika Maiorino (cox), Viktoria Lapikof, Abby Schroeder, Haley Campain, Nathalie Müller
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Madeline Fincham, Ella Saunders, Tallulah Sweet, Lexi Schimnowski, Josefine Freltoft, Emilie Rish, Morgan Zahner, Manon Field
2V8 - Radhika Ajmera (cox), Kat Johanns, Nena Papaterpou, Peyton Miller, Katy Isackson-Papp, Martyna Rzeznik, Paige Keller, Kimberly Klassen, Anna Stephenson
From A Captain's Perspective
"I'm super excited to get out to Tennessee and get out on the water there," senior captain Ella Saunders said. "It's going to be beautiful weather and it'll be a great opportunity to race against four top-20 ranked teams, which is super exciting and a privilege to be able to see that competition so soon into the season. Our team has been seeing crazy increases and speed on the ERG and now we get to see our hard work pay off on the water, so we're excited for this opener."
Last Time on the Water
The last official competition for Minnesota came in November when it raced in a time trial format at the Rivanna Romp hosted by Virginia. The Gophers top boats in both the Varsity Eights and Varsity Fours excelled along the waters of the Rivanna Reservoir. The 1V4 placed third overall among 18 boats to cap the day, while the 1V8 covered the course in a fifth-place effort. The Maroon and Gold battled against a pair of teams that reached the 2024 NCAA Championships in the host Cavaliers and Duke, along with another ACC program North Carolina.
Gophers Announce Captains for 2024-25
The Gophers announced their trio of captains for the 2024-25 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Tallulah Sweet (St. Paul, Minn.) is back for her second season leading Minnesota rowing and is joined on the leadership group by junior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) and senior Ella Saunders (North Liberty, Iowa).
Earned the Votes
Last spring, Minnesota rowing received votes in the Pocock/CRCA Coaches Poll seven times during a nine-week stretch. The votes came as the Gophers navigated a challenging schedule and faced ranked opponents in nearly all their regattas.
Academic Excellence from the Gophers
Minnesota rowing was awarded the 2023-24 Gladys Brooks Commitment to Academic Excellence Award from the Lindahl Academic Center. The Gophers showcased academic excellence and thanks to a 3.48 grade point average over the fall, maintained a 3.44 GPA or higher in each of the last eight semesters. Last year, the program tied a program record when 14 student-athletes were named Collegiate Rowing Coaching Association (CRCA) Scholar Athletes. Minnesota also saw Annie Moen earn a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Second Team, while 14 were named to the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar list and 31 landed on the Academic All-Big Ten Team.
The Maroon and Gold are joined by No. 17 Central Florida, Clemson, No. 14 Duke, and No. 20 North Carolina as the other teams competing in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Eleven heat races are scheduled for Friday afternoon to begin the racing with 11 finals set to be completed Saturday morning.
Projected Schedule (times listed in CST and subject to change)
Friday
2:15 p.m. - 2V4 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
2:45 p.m. - 1V4 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
3:15 p.m. - 2V8 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
3:45 p.m. - 1V8 Heat 1 (North Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota)
Saturday
8:45 a.m. - 2V4 Final 2
9:00 a.m. - 2V4 Final 1
9:15 a.m. - 1V4 Final 2
9:30 a.m. - 1V4 Final 1
9:45 a.m. - 2V8 Final 2
10:00 a.m. - 2V8 Final 1
10:15 a.m. - 1V8 Final 2
10:30 a.m. - 1V8 Final 1
Projected Lineup (subject to change)
1V4 - Misha Shah (cox), Jaden Deutscher, Nuala Macfarlane, Sophia Pirigyi, Emily Franke
2V4 - Annika Maiorino (cox), Viktoria Lapikof, Abby Schroeder, Haley Campain, Nathalie Müller
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Madeline Fincham, Ella Saunders, Tallulah Sweet, Lexi Schimnowski, Josefine Freltoft, Emilie Rish, Morgan Zahner, Manon Field
2V8 - Radhika Ajmera (cox), Kat Johanns, Nena Papaterpou, Peyton Miller, Katy Isackson-Papp, Martyna Rzeznik, Paige Keller, Kimberly Klassen, Anna Stephenson
From A Captain's Perspective
"I'm super excited to get out to Tennessee and get out on the water there," senior captain Ella Saunders said. "It's going to be beautiful weather and it'll be a great opportunity to race against four top-20 ranked teams, which is super exciting and a privilege to be able to see that competition so soon into the season. Our team has been seeing crazy increases and speed on the ERG and now we get to see our hard work pay off on the water, so we're excited for this opener."
Last Time on the Water
The last official competition for Minnesota came in November when it raced in a time trial format at the Rivanna Romp hosted by Virginia. The Gophers top boats in both the Varsity Eights and Varsity Fours excelled along the waters of the Rivanna Reservoir. The 1V4 placed third overall among 18 boats to cap the day, while the 1V8 covered the course in a fifth-place effort. The Maroon and Gold battled against a pair of teams that reached the 2024 NCAA Championships in the host Cavaliers and Duke, along with another ACC program North Carolina.
Gophers Announce Captains for 2024-25
The Gophers announced their trio of captains for the 2024-25 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Tallulah Sweet (St. Paul, Minn.) is back for her second season leading Minnesota rowing and is joined on the leadership group by junior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) and senior Ella Saunders (North Liberty, Iowa).
Earned the Votes
Last spring, Minnesota rowing received votes in the Pocock/CRCA Coaches Poll seven times during a nine-week stretch. The votes came as the Gophers navigated a challenging schedule and faced ranked opponents in nearly all their regattas.
Academic Excellence from the Gophers
Minnesota rowing was awarded the 2023-24 Gladys Brooks Commitment to Academic Excellence Award from the Lindahl Academic Center. The Gophers showcased academic excellence and thanks to a 3.48 grade point average over the fall, maintained a 3.44 GPA or higher in each of the last eight semesters. Last year, the program tied a program record when 14 student-athletes were named Collegiate Rowing Coaching Association (CRCA) Scholar Athletes. Minnesota also saw Annie Moen earn a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Second Team, while 14 were named to the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar list and 31 landed on the Academic All-Big Ten Team.
Third Varsity Four Wins Again at B1G Invite
Monday, April 21
Second Novice Eight Wins at B1G Invite
Monday, April 21
First Varsity Four Wins at B1G Invite
Saturday, April 19
Third Varsity Four Wins at B1G Invite
Saturday, April 19