University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, April 3
Oak Ridge, TN
2:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Rocky Top Invite
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
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Photo by: David Kaplan
Gophers Set for Rocky Top Invite April 3-4
4/2/2026 12:00:00 PM | Rowing
Official spring opener for 'U' in Tennessee
MINNEAPOLIS – The Golden Gophers rowing team will officially begin their spring championship season April 3-4 on the road at the second-annual Rocky Top Invite hosted by the University of Tennessee. The regatta gets underway from Melton Hill Lake at 2 p.m. (CT) Friday afternoon.
Minnesota is sending five crews to Oak Ridge, Tenn., for three sessions during the two-day event that features a total of 12 heat races on Friday. The action continues Saturday morning with 12 semifinal races followed by 12 finals races to close the regatta Saturday afternoon.
The Maroon and Gold will face a talented group of competitors from No. 17 Alabama, Clemson, No. 15 Duke, Iowa, No. 14 Penn, No. 24 USC, No. 25 UCLA, and the fifth-ranked Volunteers of Tennessee.
Minnesota's Friday Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
2:30 p.m. - 3V4 Heat 2 (vs. Tennessee, Tennessee 4V4)
2:50 p.m. - 2V4 Heat 2 (vs. Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson)
3:10 p.m. - 1V4 Heat 2 (vs. Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
3:30 p.m. - 2V8 Heat 2 (vs. Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
3:50 p.m. - 1V8 Heat 2 Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
Minnesota's Lineup (subject to change)
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Manon Field, Kimberly Klassen, Lexi Schimnowski, Alexa Mueller, Emilie Rish, Madeline Fincham, Sophia Pirigyi, Nuala Macfarlane
2V8 - Radhika Ajmera (cox), Nena Papaterpou, Eleni Charalampidou-Layton, Paige Keller, Peyton Miller, Danna Strohsack, Emily Franke, Emma Herstad, Martyna Rzeznik
1V4 - Annika Maiorino (cox), Nathalie Müller, Kylie Mong, Abby Schroeder, Chloe Petersen
2V4 - Shelby Kaplan (cox), Kayla Pearce, Josefine Freltoft, McCall Motz, Jaden Deutscher
3V4 - Tammy Nguyen (cox), Ellison Northrop-Kiel, Caroline Johnson, Viktoria Lapikof, Elsie Belina
From A Captain's Perspective
"We are looking forward to racing at Tennessee this weekend. Being able to line up against some of the best teams in the country is a great opportunity to showcase the speed and hard work that we have been putting in over the winter. Go Gophs!!," Minnesota senior captain Nuala Macfarlane said.
Last Time on the Water
The Gophers closed out the fall portion of their schedule with a strong performance at the Rivanna Romp on Nov. 9, highlighted by top-three finishes in both the varsity eights and fours races. Competing on a 4,000-meter time trial course at the Rivanna Reservoir, the Maroon and Gold navigated challenging conditions against a deep field featuring crews from North Carolina, Navy, Georgetown, and Old Dominion. Minnesota's First Varsity Eight finished third overall in 13:57.45, trailing only the top two entries from Virginia. The Third Varsity Eight edged the Second Varsity Eight by less than a second, posting times of 14:38.07 and 14:38.77 to give Minnesota three top-10 finishes in the event. In the fours competition, the Gophers placed third and fifth behind Virginia's entries, led by the Second Varsity Four at 14:58.07 and the First Varsity Four at 15:06.02.
Gopher Duo on FSN Watchlist
In February, a pair of Gophers were named to the 3rd Annual For Stars Network Division I Watchlist with Kimberly Klassen and Emilie Rish earning the distinction. A total of 196 student-athletes were chosen from 94 teams across the nation, including the two Minnesota juniors. The FSN Watchlist featured student-athletes that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact.
Schimnowski Honored as RBC Future Olympian
Minnesota sophomore Lexi Schimnowski was identified as a 2025 RBC Future Olympian by National Sport Organization (NSO) scouts in February. This honor came after she took part in a gathering of Canada's Top 100 athletes at the RBC Training Ground National Final back in November. As one of the top 35 selected, the East St. Paul, Manitoba, native will receive funding and dedicated support as she continues her pursuit of representing Team Canada on the international stage.
Returning B1G Honorees
Last spring, Manon Field was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, while Josefine Freltoft landed on the All-Big Ten Second Team and both award winners have returned to campus for the Maroon and Gold in 2025-26. Sophia Pirigyi earned the B1G Sportsmanship Award during the final ceremony at Eagle Creek Park at the B1G Championship and now continues her junior campaign at Minnesota.
Gophers' Captains Named for 2025-26
The Gophers announced their three captains for the 2025-26 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) is back for her second year in the leadership group and is joined this year by junior Josefine Freltoft (Copenhagen, Denmark) and senior Nuala Macfarlane. The three veterans on the Minnesota roster will be critical to guide the program for the season.
Minnesota is sending five crews to Oak Ridge, Tenn., for three sessions during the two-day event that features a total of 12 heat races on Friday. The action continues Saturday morning with 12 semifinal races followed by 12 finals races to close the regatta Saturday afternoon.
The Maroon and Gold will face a talented group of competitors from No. 17 Alabama, Clemson, No. 15 Duke, Iowa, No. 14 Penn, No. 24 USC, No. 25 UCLA, and the fifth-ranked Volunteers of Tennessee.
Minnesota's Friday Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
2:30 p.m. - 3V4 Heat 2 (vs. Tennessee, Tennessee 4V4)
2:50 p.m. - 2V4 Heat 2 (vs. Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson)
3:10 p.m. - 1V4 Heat 2 (vs. Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
3:30 p.m. - 2V8 Heat 2 (vs. Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
3:50 p.m. - 1V8 Heat 2 Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, USC)
Minnesota's Lineup (subject to change)
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Manon Field, Kimberly Klassen, Lexi Schimnowski, Alexa Mueller, Emilie Rish, Madeline Fincham, Sophia Pirigyi, Nuala Macfarlane
2V8 - Radhika Ajmera (cox), Nena Papaterpou, Eleni Charalampidou-Layton, Paige Keller, Peyton Miller, Danna Strohsack, Emily Franke, Emma Herstad, Martyna Rzeznik
1V4 - Annika Maiorino (cox), Nathalie Müller, Kylie Mong, Abby Schroeder, Chloe Petersen
2V4 - Shelby Kaplan (cox), Kayla Pearce, Josefine Freltoft, McCall Motz, Jaden Deutscher
3V4 - Tammy Nguyen (cox), Ellison Northrop-Kiel, Caroline Johnson, Viktoria Lapikof, Elsie Belina
From A Captain's Perspective
"We are looking forward to racing at Tennessee this weekend. Being able to line up against some of the best teams in the country is a great opportunity to showcase the speed and hard work that we have been putting in over the winter. Go Gophs!!," Minnesota senior captain Nuala Macfarlane said.
Last Time on the Water
The Gophers closed out the fall portion of their schedule with a strong performance at the Rivanna Romp on Nov. 9, highlighted by top-three finishes in both the varsity eights and fours races. Competing on a 4,000-meter time trial course at the Rivanna Reservoir, the Maroon and Gold navigated challenging conditions against a deep field featuring crews from North Carolina, Navy, Georgetown, and Old Dominion. Minnesota's First Varsity Eight finished third overall in 13:57.45, trailing only the top two entries from Virginia. The Third Varsity Eight edged the Second Varsity Eight by less than a second, posting times of 14:38.07 and 14:38.77 to give Minnesota three top-10 finishes in the event. In the fours competition, the Gophers placed third and fifth behind Virginia's entries, led by the Second Varsity Four at 14:58.07 and the First Varsity Four at 15:06.02.
Gopher Duo on FSN Watchlist
In February, a pair of Gophers were named to the 3rd Annual For Stars Network Division I Watchlist with Kimberly Klassen and Emilie Rish earning the distinction. A total of 196 student-athletes were chosen from 94 teams across the nation, including the two Minnesota juniors. The FSN Watchlist featured student-athletes that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact.
Schimnowski Honored as RBC Future Olympian
Minnesota sophomore Lexi Schimnowski was identified as a 2025 RBC Future Olympian by National Sport Organization (NSO) scouts in February. This honor came after she took part in a gathering of Canada's Top 100 athletes at the RBC Training Ground National Final back in November. As one of the top 35 selected, the East St. Paul, Manitoba, native will receive funding and dedicated support as she continues her pursuit of representing Team Canada on the international stage.
Returning B1G Honorees
Last spring, Manon Field was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, while Josefine Freltoft landed on the All-Big Ten Second Team and both award winners have returned to campus for the Maroon and Gold in 2025-26. Sophia Pirigyi earned the B1G Sportsmanship Award during the final ceremony at Eagle Creek Park at the B1G Championship and now continues her junior campaign at Minnesota.
Gophers' Captains Named for 2025-26
The Gophers announced their three captains for the 2025-26 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) is back for her second year in the leadership group and is joined this year by junior Josefine Freltoft (Copenhagen, Denmark) and senior Nuala Macfarlane. The three veterans on the Minnesota roster will be critical to guide the program for the season.
Head of the Mississippi Hype
Wednesday, October 08
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