Michigan
Buckeye Spring Regatta
U-M Fours Shine, Win Five of Six Races at Buckeye Spring Regatta
3/28/2026 4:53:00 PM | Rowing
Site: Griggs Reservoir (Columbus, Ohio)
Event: Buckeye Spring Regatta
First Varsity Eight Finish: 6:03.1 (2nd of 3), 6:09.5 (2nd of 2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 11 -- vs. Texas (Belleville, Mich.), Time TBD
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan rowing program opened its season with 10 wins across 14 races on Saturday (March 28) at Griggs Reservoir. The Wolverines traveled all seven of their Big Ten Championship boats to take on No. 23 Alabama, No. 24 Oklahoma, and Notre Dame at the event.
The morning races began in brisk 32-degree temperatures with a calm crosswind off the shore of the Scioto River. The Wolverines were first on the water with an 8:30 a.m. 1V8 start. In its first race of the season, U-M split Oklahoma and Notre Dame in the middle lane.
The Sooners took an early lead before the Maize and Blue worked back to even in the second 250 meters. Oklahoma responded with a move of its own and maintained a two-seat lead through the midpoint. The latter half was dominated by the Sooners, who gained open water with 500 meters remaining and took a 2.4-second victory over the second-place Wolverines.
From there, Michigan swept the remainder of the morning session. The U-M 2V8 took an early lead and gained three seats on Notre Dame at the 500-meter mark. The Fighting Irish made a push near the midpoint, but Michigan responded with a surge that carried through the final 1,000 meters, eventually building a bow-to-stern lead for its first win of the season (+4.5).
All three four-person boats earned open-water victories Saturday morning. U-M's 1V4 overtook Notre Dame by the midpoint and secured a four-second win. The 2V4 race was more competitive, with Oklahoma maintaining contact into the final 500 meters before Michigan pulled away in last 250 (+1.7). The Wolverines' 3V4 took control within the first 500 meters and cruised to a two-boat-length victory.
Michigan closed the morning with wins in the 3V8 and 4V8. The 3V8 led throughout and finished 6.2 seconds ahead, followed by a similar 6.8-second victory from the 4V8 to wrap up the session.
Two hours later, with temperatures rising to 41 degrees, the Wolverines' 1V8 opened the afternoon session against Alabama, which posted the fastest first varsity eight time in the morning. Michigan gained six seats in the opening 500 meters, but Alabama answered and took the lead at the midpoint. U-M made multiple pushes in the second half but could not regain control, falling by 4.8 seconds.
In the 2V8 race, Alabama moved early and found open water by the halfway mark. The Crimson Tide maintained separation throughout, defeating the Wolverines by two boat lengths (-8.6).
Michigan's 1V4 responded in the afternoon session. After a slow start, the Wolverines made an early move and overtook Alabama by the 1,000-meter mark, continuing to build their lead en route to the team's largest margin of victory up to that point (+13.3).
The 2V4 race remained tight throughout. Alabama held a slight edge at the midpoint, and although Michigan closed to within inches late, the Wolverines fell just short by 0.7 seconds.
The 3V4 got off to a strong start and maintained its advantage in a dominant afternoon win (+28.1). Michigan's 3V8 and 4V8 also closed the day with solid victories of 10.6 and 7.3 seconds, respectively. All three boats won both of their races Saturday.
U-M is set to host its first home race since 2024 in two weeks (April 11) at Belleville Lake in Belleville, Mich., where it will face No. 2 Texas. Race times are yet to be announced.
Results (A.M.)
First Varsity Eight
1. Oklahoma -- 6:00.7
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:03.1
3. Notre Dame -- 6:12.7
Second Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:04.8
2. Notre Dame -- 6:09.3
3. Oklahoma -- 6:13.7
First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:46.9
2. Notre Dame -- 6:50.9
3. Oklahoma -- 6:57.7
Second Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:48.9
2. Oklahoma -- 6:51.6
3. Notre Dame -- 6:58.3
Third Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:50.9
2. Notre Dame -- 7:00.9
Third Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:15.0
2. Oklahoma -- 6:21.2
3. Notre Dame -- 6:29.3
Fourth Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:23.8
2. Notre Dame -- 6:30.6
3. Ohio State -- 6:34.1
4. Oklahoma -- 6:48.8
Results (P.M.)
First Varsity Eight
1. Alabama -- 6:04.7
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:09.5
Second Varsity Eight
1. Alabama -- 6:05.0
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:13.6
First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:53.1
2. Alabama -- 7:06.4
Second Varsity Four
1. Alabama -- 7:05.9
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:06.6
Third Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:03.7
2. Alabama -- 7:31.8
Third Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:21.1
2. Alabama -- 6:31.7
Fourth Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:31.6
2. Notre Dame -- 6:38.9
3. Ohio State -- 6:46.5
4. Oklahoma -- 6:51.9
Michigan Lineups
1V8: Isabela Pimentel (coxswain), Jana Peachey, Madeleine Lauriault, Lucy Hallett, Gretel Ham, Novella Rusman, Autumn Crowe, Deanna Macolino, Danelia Price-Hughes
2V8: Logan Roeder (coxswain), Jade Postma, Olivia Carroll, Grace Hammis, Olive Pascoe, Madeson Scott, Ally Blomquist, Sinéad Erasmus, Megan Higley
1V4: Ayelel Meyen, Kiley Locke, Ansley Vicars, Ashley Mitchell, Talia Daft (coxswain)
2V4: Ava Harrington, Leija Murphy, Leah Miller, Zara Bongiorno, Zoey Jacobs (coxswain)
3V4: Jenna Chaffin, Marloes van der Zwart, Avery Rodeheffer, Maddy Matos, Sophia Smith (coxswain)
3V8: Zulema Zunzunegui (coxswain), Sydney Swick, Stella Fox, Ruby Jansen, Ella Damratoski, Carly Walsh, Megan Gornick, Reagan Weneck, Maddy Stagg
4V8: Catalina Echavarria (coxswain), Tacey Moore, Ava Fox, Jane Kurkowski, Sophia Stylianos, Katie Schwab, Elodie Derse, Mo Winstanley, Gabrielle Cahill
Players Mentioned
