OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Wisconsin women's rowing team opened its spring season by racing at the Cardinal Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, on Melton Hill Lake.

This marked the first time the team has hit the water since their winter training trip to Florida in January. 

The Badgers faced their first test of the season by battling nationally-ranked schools and the weather on Saturday, with the morning wave of races canceled due to storms. On day one, Wisconsin raced against boats from 15th-ranked Indiana and 19th-ranked Alabama as UW came in third place in all four of its races.

On Sunday, UW was led by its first varsity four boat that placed second behind No. 18 Notre Dame and ahead of Navy. The third varsity eight/third novice eight also came in second behind Notre Dame, while the varsity eight came in third behind the Fighting Irish and Navy. The second varsity eight did not race on Sunday. 

Straight from the shore
Assistant Coach Meg Gibson
On this weekend's regatta
"It was great to be back on the water after being ice-locked this winter. The women faced a few different challenges this weekend, and we are proud of them for attacking the adversity head-on. The team learned a great deal and is looking forward to getting back to work!"

Up Next: The Badgers head to Sarasota, Florida, to race in the Big Ten Invitational on Friday and Saturday, April 18-19. 

Cardinal Invitational 
March 15-16, 2025
Melton Hill Lake
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
2000 meters

Varsity Eight
Saturday 
1. Indiana, 6:23.109; 2. Alabama, 6:28.056; 3. Wisconsin, 6:39.740
UW Lineup - Coxswain Nora Clements, Kylie Magnus, Sophia Gruenling, Jordan Morrissey, Oona Zilavy, Sophia Ortega, Marian Cracraft, Evelyn Schauer, Macy Mosner

Sunday
1. Navy, 6:27.175; 2. Notre Dame, 6:30.062; 3. Wisconsin, 6:42.853
Coxswain Emma Hefner, Kylie Magnus, Sophia Gruenling, Jordan Morrissey, Oona Zilavy, Sophia Ortega, Marian Cracraft, Evelyn Schauer, Macy Mosner

Second Varsity Eight
Saturday 
1. Indiana, 6:25.833; 2. Alabama, 6:30.822; 3. Wisconsin, 6:51.888
UW Lineup - Coxswain Emma Hefner, Morgan Jensema, Madison Stack, Anna Mueller, Grace Fragakis, Kylie Silus, Aliza Korman, Eva McKinley, Sylvia Freidenrich

Sunday
1. Notre Dame, 6:37.221; 2. Navy, 6:48.535; 3. Wisconsin, Scratch 
Coxswain Nora Clements, Morgan Jensema, Madison Stack, Anna Mueller, Grace Fragakis, Kylie Silus, Aliza Korman, Eva McKinley, Sylvia Freidenrich

First Varsity Four
Saturday 
1. Alabama, 7:13.149; 2. Indiana, 7:14.769; 3. Wisconsin, 7:18.067
UW Lineup - Coxswain Chloe Powell, Josie Reeve, Jadyn Schensky, Kira Funk, Ava Heinz

Sunday
1. Notre Dame, 7:16.135; 2. Wisconsin, 7:27.410; 3. Navy, 7:36.918
Coxswain Chloe Powell, Kira Funk, Jadyn Schensky, Jacki Szelagowski, Fiona Campbell

Third Varsity Eight/Novice Eight
Saturday 
1. Alabama, 6:51.526; 2. Indiana, 6:57.113; 3. Wisconsin, 7:12.398
UW Lineup - Coxswain Addison Bauer, Maggie Johnson, Lilia Graves, Ashley Grancorvitz, Kaisa Lindfors, Piper Garcia Hall, Celia Fujita, Cassie Nemecek, Gretchen Bedner

Sunday
1. Notre Dame, 6:48.618; 2. Wisconsin, 7:13.755
Coxswain Addison Bauer, Maggie Johnson, Lilia Graves, Ashley Grancorvitz, Kaisa Lindfors, Piper Garcia Hall, Celia Fujita, Cassie Nemecek, Gretchen Bedner