MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers women's lightweight rowing team make their way out east to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to compete in the Head of the Charles on Sunday.
Before the Badgers hit the water, here are f(oar) things to know:
-
WHERE THEY LEFT OFF:
The Badgers opened their season at the Milwaukee River Challenge in early October. The lightweight four crews led by coxswains Emilie Rochon and Maggie Wagner stood out, collecting a first and second-place finish in their event and finishing just under three seconds apart. Both coxswains will return to the water as Rochon will be leading the lightweight eight crew and Wagner will be leading the fours on Sunday.
-
THE FIELD:
First raced in 1965, the Head of the Charles Regatta is the world's largest three-day rowing competition. It attracts more than 12,000 competitors in more than 2,000 boats annually. The course itself presents a challenging three-mile competition that will take rowers down the Charles River, between Boston and Cambridge.
-
LAST TIME OUT:
The Badgers competed in the 2024 Head of the Charles, highlighted by a win in the lightweight fours that marked the boat's first win in school history. They crossed the finish line with a time of 18:28.571, just over four seconds ahead of Princeton in second. The lightweight eights capped off the 2024 regatta with an eighth-place finish.
-
FOLLOW ALONG:
The regatta can be followed live on the Head of the Charles' website on its six live feeds and integrated map. Post-regatta results can be found here, along with a recap on uwbadgers.com.
Head of the Charles
Oct. 19, 2025
Boston
Charles River
3 miles
Women's Lightweight Eight
Coxswain Emilie Rochon, Payton Tonnos, Georgia Harlow, Claire Rulyak, Romy McCarthy, Alex Palmberg, Olivia Palmberg, Anika Hanson, Payton Bradford.
Women's Lightweight Four
Coxswain Maggie Wagner, Charlotte Mirzaian, Audra Chesny, Libby Walker, Addie Hinkie.
