U-M Shows Speed Against Top ACC Opponents at Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Saturday, March 30

Columbus, Ohio

9:00 AM

Michigan

Big Ten/ACC Challenge

(Michigan Photography)

U-M Shows Speed Against Top ACC Opponents at Big Ten/ACC Challenge

3/30/2024 3:25:00 PM | Rowing

By: Chad Shepard

Site: Griggs Reservoir (Columbus, Ohio)
Event: Big Ten/ACC Challenge
First Varsity Eight Finish: 6:53.5 (1st), 6:40.4 (1st)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 6 -- vs. Michigan State (Belleville, Mich.), 9 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan rowing program began its season with dual racing during two sessions of Big Ten/ACC Challenge action at No. 12 Ohio State's Griggs Reservoir. Competing primarily against No. 11 Virginia in the morning and No. 15 Duke in the afternoon, U-M displayed early-season speed throughout a strong team performance that included three wins in four varsity eight events as well as a near-sweep from the varsity fours.

Temperatures around race time of the morning session were in the low 50s as rain passed through the area. Despite wet conditions, the water was relatively flat. The steady downpour early caused a pause after four sets of races in the morning session, just before 10 a.m. After about an hour, races resumed under much lighter conditions with the first four and varsity eight events. In the afternoon, a headwind picked up creating a noticeable chop on the water, but the sun shone through making for generally favorable conditions in March in the Midwest.

The Wolverines came to compete in Columbus, utilizing quick starts and well-timed moves to open the spring season on the right note. Highlights included a photo-finish win from the 3V4 in the morning as well as a pair of decisive wins from the 1V8.

U-M's first eight started fast in the morning against Virginia and put the pressure on. Both boats showcased an aggressive race plan, and it was bow-to-stern with U-M in front before the race reached 1,000 meters. Virginia had trouble mounting a response. Before long, the Maize and Blue put open water on the Cavaliers and kept pushing, cruising to a win of more than seven seconds.

Later in the day against Duke, it was another fast start off the line. Both boats put forth high stroke rates in the early going but the strategy served the Wolverines better. U-M was fully in control and pulling away with open water near 750 meters, cruising to a 10-second win and the best time by any Wolverine boat all day.

The 2V8 had a tight morning race in the first 500 before the Wolverines began to pick up a few seats on the Cavaliers. U-M kept charging through the Virginia eight and in the third 500, the Michigan lead grew to open water. UVA fought back for a few seats, but U-M was convincing in its victory, coming in more than a boat length ahead.

Duke got the early lead in the afternoon, but the second half of the race saw U-M take a few aggressive strokes to earn back some ground. The Wolverines clawed back for a few seats and hung onto the Blue Devils' stern across the third 500. In the final charge, Duke pulled away to secure the win, leaving U-M's 2V8 with a split on the day.

Michigan's fours put together a performance to be proud of. The 1V4 put a big move on the Cavaliers in the third 500 in the morning race and did not look back, picking up a win of nearly six seconds. The afternoon event against Duke was one of the most closely contested events of the day, with Duke finishing three seconds ahead after pulling ahead in the middle lengths.

The 2V4 looked more than competitive, beating Virginia cleanly by a length in the morning and dominating Duke during the afternoon. U-M won by more than five seconds against UVA and more than nine seconds against the Blue Devils. In the latter race, the Wolverines created separation from the go and had open water for much of the course.

The third four lined up in both sessions against three OSU boats (3V4, 4V4, 5V4). With more full lanes, the fours races were competitive. U-M and OSU's third four were in the closest race of the morning, trading seats across the final 250 until the Wolverines edged across the line 0.1 seconds ahead of the Buckeyes. In the afternoon, the same event was tight once again, but U-M impressed with another victory to hold off the charging Buckeyes across the second half of the race, especially the third 500.

Novice boats had mixed success but a strong afternoon overall. The 2N had the first race of each session, racing the Buckeyes twice with split results. OSU came in 2.2 seconds ahead in a tight morning race before the Wolverines bounced back with a great showing in the afternoon. They led wire-to-wire and crossed more than 17 seconds before the Buckeyes. The 1N came in about three seconds behind Virginia in the morning and 4.4 seconds behind against Duke in the afternoon.

The Wolverines will prepare for a day of racing at home on Belleville Lake against Michigan State next Saturday (April 6). Races are set to begin at 9 a.m.

RESULTS (A.M.)

First Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:53.5
2. Virginia -- 7:00.9

Second Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:53.9
2. Virginia -- 6:58.5

First Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:44.8
2. Virginia -- 7:50.4

Second Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:23.8
2. Virginia -- 7:28.7

Third Varsity Four
1. MICHIGAN -- 7:34.1
2. Ohio State -- 7:34.2
3. Ohio State (4V4) -- 7:41.2
4. Ohio State (5V4) -- 7:42.2

First Novice Eight
1. Virginia -- 7:01.4
2. MICHIGAN --7:04.5

Second Novice Eight
1. Ohio State -- 7:18.3
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:20.5

RESULTS (P.M.)

First Varsity Eight
1. MICHIGAN -- 6:40.4
2. Duke -- 6:50.4

Second Varsity Eight
1. Duke -- 6:54.2
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:01.5

First Varsity Four
1. Duke -- 7:51.5
2. MICHIGAN -- 7:54.5