Wisconsin Badgers
Cardinal Invite
F(oar) things to know: Spring racing begins at Cardinal Invite
March 12, 2026 | Women's Rowing
Badgers kick off spring rowing season in Tennessee
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team begins its spring racing season this Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, at the Cardinal Invitational on Melton Lake.
Before they hit the water, here are f(oar) things to know:
1. SPRING SCHEDULE: The Cardinal Invite marks the first of three regular-season regattas before the 2026 Big Ten Championships scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, in Indianapolis.Â
Before the Badgers get to the conference championships, they'll also compete at the San Diego Crew Classic on the waters of Mission Bay on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, as well as the Big Ten Invitational at Lake Natoma in Sacramento, California, on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19.
UW will also participate in two scrimmages, one on Saturday, April 4, against San Diego State in California, and another against Minnesota in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 2.Â
2. CARDINAL INVITE PREVIEW: This weekend, the Badgers will compete against boats from Alabama, Duke, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and host school Louisville. Boats from Indiana, Navy and North Carolina will also race at the regatta.Â
Wisconsin rowers will be put to the test early as they battle ranked opponents. In the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association week one poll from March 10, Duke was ranked 19th and Oklahoma came in 25th. No. 14 Indiana will also be in attendance.
3. STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE: Read what Head Coach Vicky Opitz has to say about the team's offseason progress before spring racing gets started!
"We're incredibly excited to get the spring season underway," she said. "Our team has put in a tremendous amount of quality work indoors this winter – pushing speed, focusing on technical length and application, and building overall strength.
"The Cardinal invite is always a great way for us to open the season, dust off the racing cobwebs and experiment with different lineup combinations. As coaches, we're so proud of the commitment and determination these women have shown indoors, and we can't wait to finally get back on the water and see that work come together."
4. FOLLOW ALONG: Live results for this weekend's event can be found here.
2026 Cardinal Invitational
March 14-15
Melton Lake
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
2000 meters
SATURDAY, MARCH 14 (Times are ET)
Wisconsin, Alabama
9:20 a.m. - 3V4
Wisconsin, Duke, Alabama, Miami
9:28 a.m. - 3V8
9:36 a.m. - 2V4
9:44 a.m. - V4
9:52 a.m. - 2V8
10:00 a.m. - V8
Wisconsin, Louisville
3:20 p.m. - 3V4
Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Louisville
3:28 p.m. - 3V8
3:36 p.m. - 2V4
3:44 p.m. - V4
3:52 p.m. - 2V8
4:00 pm. - V8
SUNDAY, MARCH 15Â
Wisconsin, Notre Dame
8:32 a.m. - 3V4
Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Miami, Oklahoma
8:40 a.m. - 3V8
8:48 a.m. - 2V4
8:56 a.m. - V4
9:04 a.m. - 2V8
9:12 a.m. - V8
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