Wolverines Return to Action at Cardinal Invitational

Saturday, March 13

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

10:36 AM

Michigan

Cardinal Invitational (Morning)

(Michigan Photography)

3/13/2021 6:09:00 PM | Rowing

By: Chad Shepard

» The Wolverines traveled three boats (1V8, 2V8, 1V4) for the two-day event featuring 16 programs.
» The U-M 1V4's photo-finish victory was the highlight of the morning session with a margin of victory of just .515 seconds.
» The Maize and Blue return to action Sunday morning with a 10:44 a.m. start.

Site: Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Lake Melton)
Event: Cardinal Invitational (Day 1 of 2)
First Varsity Eight Finish: 6:22.203 (2nd), 6:18.550 (2nd)
Next U-M Event: March 14 -- at Cardinal Invitational (Day 2), 10:44 a.m.

• Complete Results

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- Back in action for the first time in 650 calendar days, the No. 3-ranked University of Michigan rowing program brought the 2021 spring season to life on Saturday (March 13). The team recorded several second-place finishes and the morning featured a photo-finish win from the first varsity four during an exciting day of action at the Cardinal Invitation on Lake Melton.

U-M rowed against Clemson, Indiana (1V8, 2V8), and Wisconsin (1V4) in the morning session. Both eight boats finished in second place behind the Hoosiers, but the 1V4 won a dramatic race to highpoint the first set of races. Oak Ridge Rowing Association finish line cameras captured the razor-thin victory which saw coxswain Kayla Ehrlich and the U-M No. 7 bow (7:05.265) cross the finish line a split-second ahead of the Badger four (7:05.780).

With the day and competition warming up, afternoon races were at a quicker pace. U-M also saw a different set of opponents, including their third ranked opponent of the day, by going up against ACC foes No. 7 Virginia and Notre Dame.

The U-M 1V8 timed 6:18.550 and finished second behind No. 7 Virginia's 6:13.166. The 2V8 (+3.906 seconds) and 1V4 had similar results, but the 1V4 was in another photo finish. Only a bow length separated the Wolverines (7:00.256) from the Cavaliers (6:59.466).

Though the Wolverines hope to win more races during the event finale on Sunday (March 14), returning to competition was an important step for a team that has been eager to get back on the water. In this weekend's return to action, every race is meaningful.

U-M will start Sunday's action at 10:44 a.m. with the 1V8 race. Barring any additional schedule changes, the Maize and Blue is slated to line up against Louisville and SMU.

Results

A.M. Session
First Varsity Eight
1. Indiana -- 6:19.019
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:22.203
3. Clemson -- 6:27.402

Second Varsity Eight
1. Indiana -- 6:25.892
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:28.554
3. Clemson -- 6:36.276

First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:05.265
2. Wisconsin -- 7:05.780
3. MICHIGAN -- 7:27.771

P.M. Session
First Varsity Eight
1. Virginia -- 6:13.166
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:18.550
3. Notre Dame -- 6:27.421

Second Varsity Eight
1. Virginia -- 6:28.377
2. MICHIGAN -- 6:32.283
3. Notre Dame -- 6:52.220

First Varsity Four
1. Virginia -- 6:59.466
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:00.256
3. Notre Dame -- 7:24.691

Varsity Lineup

Saturday a.m.
1V8: Charlotte Powers (coxswain), Caitlin Esse, Madison Byrd, Zara Collisson, Elena Collier-Hezel, Tayla-May Bentley, Grace Collins, Emma Luniewicz, Annika Hoffmann