Wolverine Fours Highlight Double Dual in Columbus

Saturday, March 29

Columbus, Ohio

9:00 AM

Michigan

Big Ten/ACC Challenge

(Michigan Photography)

3/29/2025 4:36:00 PM | Rowing

Photo Gallery

By: Devin Wiles

Site: Griggs Reservoir (Columbus, Ohio)
Event: Big Ten/ACC Challenge
First Varsity Eight Finish: 6:46.4 (1st of 2), 7:04.8 (2nd of 2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 12 -- at Texas (Austin, Texas), TBA

Columbus, Ohio -- The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan rowing program captured wins in 10-of-14 races at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Saturday (March 29) at Ohio State's Griggs Reservoir. The Wolverines' fours went a perfect 6-0 on the day in their races with comfortable margins of victory over Oklahoma and No. 13-ranked Virginia.

Conditions throughout the two-session event were gloomy, with a morning temperature of 66 degrees and a strong headwind with occasional drizzle. The weather did not stop the Wolverines from getting out to a strong early start.

After falling short of Ohio State (-4.7) in the day's first race -- the 2N8 --, Michigan went on to win five of its remaining six events of the morning session -- all against Oklahoma.

The 1V8 closed out the morning, and U-M got out to an early three-seat lead in the first 250 meters. The boat sustained momentum into the next 750, mounting a six-second lead at the midway point. The next 500 saw the Wolverines continue to create separation, moving ahead by two boat lengths by the 1,500-meter buoy. Michigan's first varsity eight headed into the final sprint with clean, steady strokes to take a morning victory over Oklahoma by 12.4 seconds.

Earlier on, Michigan's 1N8 earned the team's first win of the day, setting the tone for the four-person boats that followed. The boat met Oklahoma's bow with its stern within the first 500 meters of the race and didn't let up, holding a demanding 13-second lead at the 1,000-mark, and closing the race by a 25-second margin of victory.

The 2V4 race opened with a close start, as the Maize and Blue boat remained even with Oklahoma's second four through the first 250 meters. Michigan continued to gain inches on the Sooners through the next 750, pulling ahead to nearly a boat's length, moving stern-to-bow at the 1,000. Then, U-M made its move, pulling ahead by two more boat lengths within the next 500 meters, surging towards the finish with a wide margin of victory.

All three of the Wolverines' four boats put together fast showings in the morning, earning victories by margins of 13.7 seconds (1V4), 15.4 seconds (2V4), and 33.9 seconds (3V4).

The most tightly-contested race in the morning came in the 2V8. The teams opened the race even before Michigan pulled away by two seats at the 500-meter buoy. The Sooners' boat held on as U-M held a narrow 3.4-second lead at the 1,000. Oklahoma made its move, pushing even with the Wolverines before taking the victory at the finish line by just 1.3 seconds.

The afternoon session saw similar cloudy conditions and an increased headwind, while temperatures climbed to a warm 72 degrees.

Michigan's 2N8 rebounded in its rematch from the morning against Ohio State, holding on late in a tightly contested race with a four-seat victory (+3.4).

From then on, Michigan's afternoon races took place solely against Virginia, winning four out of six events. The first, the 1N8, finished in a clear Michigan advantage of 13.4 seconds, following a strong final 750 meters from the novice boat.

The Maize and Blue's four-person boats followed suit. First, the 3V4 opened in a tight race with the Cavaliers, holding just a two-seat edge through the first 500 meters. The next 500 marked the critical point in the race, and Michigan's four made a substantial move and pulled ahead to a 14.6-second advantage at the midpoint of the race. The lead continued to grow, and the Wolverines took victory by a wide margin (+25.7).

The U-M 2V4 race against Virginia opened similarly, as the Wolverines took a two-seat lead in the first 500 meters before reaching the Cavaliers' bow with their stern at the midpoint. The third quarter of the race is when Michigan made its move, jumping ahead by a full boat's length with the final stretch ahead. The Wolverines' second four finished strong for its second victory of the day (+7.8).

Michigan's final victory of the day came in the 1V4, as it added a second win after earning Big Ten Boat of the Week honors for its performance last weekend. The first half of the race was neck-and-neck, and Virginia pulled ahead by two seats as the teams approached the midway buoy. This is when U-M made its move, charging forward in the next 500 meters and holding on for a 10.1-second victory over the Virginia four.

The afternoon wrapped with Michigan losses in the 2V8 and 1V8 races. The day's final race, the first varsity eight, was an even race through the first 1,000 meters (U-M -0.8 seconds), the boats trading bow for bow. The Cavaliers made their push near the 1,000-meter buoy, gaining two seats, before catching a second burst with 500 meters remaining. Virginia broke contact as the boats approached the final stretch and managed to down the Wolverines by five seconds.

The Wolverines travel south next Saturday (April 12) to take on Texas in Austin. Race times are yet to be announced.

RESULTS (A.M.)
First Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:46.4
2. Oklahoma -- 6:58.8

Second Varsity Eight
1. Oklahoma -- 6:55.4
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:56.7

First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:44.2
2. Oklahoma -- 7:57.9

Second Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:53.9
2. Oklahoma -- 8:09.3

Third Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:49.7
4. Oklahoma -- 8:23.6

First Novice Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:29.2
2. Oklahoma -- 7:54.4

Second Novice Eight
1. Ohio State -- 7:28.9
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:33.6

RESULTS (P.M.)
First Varsity Eight
1. Virginia -- 6:59.8
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:04.8

Second Varsity Eight
1. Virginia -- 7:06.9
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:14.8

First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 8:01.9
2. Virginia -- 8:12.0

Second Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 8:02.2
2. Virginia -- 8:10.0