University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, April 18
Sacramento, CA
10:30 AM
University of Minnesota
vs
Big Ten Invitational
Players Mentioned
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Varsity
/ Rowing
Photo by: David Kaplan
'U' Readies for Big Ten Rowing Invitational
4/17/2026 5:30:00 PM | Rowing
Watch all three sessions live on B1G+
MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota rowing team travels to Sacramento, Calif., to take part in the 2026 Big Ten Invitational set for April 18-19 from the Sacramento State Aquatics Center. Fans can watch all three sessions during the two-day regatta live on B1G+.
The Golden Gophers will put seven crews on the water with each boat competing three times, beginning Saturday at 10:30 a.m. local time. Following a short lunch break in the afternoon, the action picks back up at 3 p.m. PT for the second session. The Big Ten Invitational will conclude Sunday morning with the third and final session of flights set to start at 9:04 a.m. PT for Minnesota.
The Maroon and Gold are one of 19 teams making the trek to California for the regatta, including all 11 teams from the Big Ten Conference, and it will go head-to-head against 13 of those competing programs. Eight of the opponents enter the weekend ranked in the recent Pocock CRCA national poll, while Michigan State is serving as the official host for this year's Big Ten Invitational.
Participating Teams
Big Ten Conference
No. 23 Indiana, Iowa, No. 17 Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, No. 16 Ohio State, No. 12 Rutgers, No. 20 UCLA, USC, No. 5 Washington, Wisconsin
Guest Invite
No. 9 Cal, Gonzaga, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Sacramento State, San Diego, No. 1 Stanford, Washington State
Minnesota's Saturday Session 1 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
12:30 p.m. - 2V4 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
12:40 p.m. - 1V4 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
12:50 p.m. - 2V8 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
1:00 p.m. - 1V8 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
1:30 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 1 (vs. Washington, Indiana, UCLA, Wisconsin, Ohio State)
2:10 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. Rutgers, Ohio State, San Diego, UCLA)
2:20 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. Rutgers, Ohio State, UCLA)
Minnesota's Saturday Session 2 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
5:00 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 1 (vs. Washington, Cal, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA)
5:40 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. Michigan State, USC, San Diego, Wisconsin)
5:50 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. Michigan State, Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin)
8:00 p.m. - 2V4 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:10 p.m. - 1V4 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:20 p.m. - 2V8 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:30 p.m. - 1V8 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
Minnesota's Sunday Session 3 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
11:04 a.m. - 2V4 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:12 a.m. - 1V4 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:20 a.m. - 2V8 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:28 a.m. - 1V8 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
12:48 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 2 (vs. Indiana, Ohio State, UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
12:56 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. San Diego, UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
1:04 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
From A Captain's Perspective
"I'm excited to see some good teams this weekend that we've already had the chance to line up against. Having a few races already under our belts has helped us solidify our strengths and workshop other details of our racing strategy, and it will be good to be able to see those changes in action," Minnesota senior captain Manon Field said. "Being able to see a wide range of schools in and out of the Big Ten is always exciting, and I'm looking forward to the momentum from this weekend carrying over to the Big Ten Championships in a few weeks!"
Last Time on the Water
The Gophers opened their spring season April 3-4 at the Rocky Top Invite in Oak Ridge, Tenn., finishing sixth with 69 team points, racing against eight programs, including six ranked in the recent polls. Host Tennessee captured the Volunteer Cup with 198 points after sweeping all five races. In Saturday morning semifinals, the Maroon and Gold posted third-place finishes in the First Varsity Eight and Third Varsity Four, while both Varsity Four crews placed fourth in their races. During the afternoon finals, Minnesota's First Varsity Eight crew closed the regatta with a fifth-place result against four ranked opponents to earn 45 team points. The Third Varsity Fours added a fourth-place championship finish, while the First and Second Varsity Fours each secured third in their respective heats.
Picked up a B1G Weekly Award
For their standout efforts at the Rocky Top Invite to start the spring portion of the schedule, Minnesota's First Varsity Eight crew earned Big Ten Conference Boat of the Week honors. The Gophers upset No. 14 Penn and No. 25 USC in the semifinal with a late rally and their fastest 2,000-meter time of the regatta, advancing to the 'A' final and finishing fifth on Melton Hill Lake. The honor marks the first weekly award of 2025-26 for the Maroon and Gold, extending the program's streak to three-straight years with a conference-recognized boat.
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Manon Field, Kimberly Klassen, Lexi Schimnowski, Alexa Mueller, Emilie Rish, Madeline Fincham, Nuala Macfarlane, Sophia Pirigyi
Gopher Duo on FSN Watchlist
In February, a pair of Gophers were named to the 3rd Annual For Stars Network Division I Watchlist with Kimberly Klassen and Emilie Rish earning the distinction. A total of 196 student-athletes were chosen from 94 teams across the nation, including the two Minnesota juniors. The FSN Watchlist featured student-athletes that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact.
Schimnowski Honored as RBC Future Olympian
Minnesota sophomore Lexi Schimnowski was identified as a 2025 RBC Future Olympian by National Sport Organization (NSO) scouts in February. This honor came after she took part in a gathering of Canada's Top 100 athletes at the RBC Training Ground National Final back in November. As one of the top 35 selected, the East St. Paul, Manitoba, native will receive funding and dedicated support as she continues her pursuit of representing Team Canada on the international stage.
Gophers' Captains Named for 2025-26
The Gophers announced their three captains for the 2025-26 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) is back for her second year in the leadership group and is joined this year by junior Josefine Freltoft (Copenhagen, Denmark) and senior Nuala Macfarlane. The three veterans on the Minnesota roster will be critical to guide the program for the season.
The Golden Gophers will put seven crews on the water with each boat competing three times, beginning Saturday at 10:30 a.m. local time. Following a short lunch break in the afternoon, the action picks back up at 3 p.m. PT for the second session. The Big Ten Invitational will conclude Sunday morning with the third and final session of flights set to start at 9:04 a.m. PT for Minnesota.
The Maroon and Gold are one of 19 teams making the trek to California for the regatta, including all 11 teams from the Big Ten Conference, and it will go head-to-head against 13 of those competing programs. Eight of the opponents enter the weekend ranked in the recent Pocock CRCA national poll, while Michigan State is serving as the official host for this year's Big Ten Invitational.
Participating Teams
Big Ten Conference
No. 23 Indiana, Iowa, No. 17 Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, No. 16 Ohio State, No. 12 Rutgers, No. 20 UCLA, USC, No. 5 Washington, Wisconsin
Guest Invite
No. 9 Cal, Gonzaga, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Sacramento State, San Diego, No. 1 Stanford, Washington State
Minnesota's Saturday Session 1 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
12:30 p.m. - 2V4 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
12:40 p.m. - 1V4 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
12:50 p.m. - 2V8 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
1:00 p.m. - 1V8 Flight 4 (vs. Cal, Indiana, Washington State)
1:30 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 1 (vs. Washington, Indiana, UCLA, Wisconsin, Ohio State)
2:10 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. Rutgers, Ohio State, San Diego, UCLA)
2:20 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. Rutgers, Ohio State, UCLA)
Minnesota's Saturday Session 2 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
5:00 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 1 (vs. Washington, Cal, Michigan, Wisconsin, UCLA)
5:40 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. Michigan State, USC, San Diego, Wisconsin)
5:50 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. Michigan State, Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin)
8:00 p.m. - 2V4 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:10 p.m. - 1V4 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:20 p.m. - 2V8 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
8:30 p.m. - 1V8 Flight 4 (vs. Gonzaga, Ohio State, Sacramento State)
Minnesota's Sunday Session 3 Schedule (times listed in Central Time, subject to change)
11:04 a.m. - 2V4 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:12 a.m. - 1V4 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:20 a.m. - 2V8 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
11:28 a.m. - 1V8 Flight 3 (vs. USC, Gonzaga, Washington State, UCLA)
12:48 p.m. - 4V8 Flight 2 (vs. Indiana, Ohio State, UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
12:56 p.m. - 3V4 Flight 3 (vs. San Diego, UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
1:04 p.m. - 3V8 Flight 3 (vs. UCLA, Iowa, Wisconsin)
From A Captain's Perspective
"I'm excited to see some good teams this weekend that we've already had the chance to line up against. Having a few races already under our belts has helped us solidify our strengths and workshop other details of our racing strategy, and it will be good to be able to see those changes in action," Minnesota senior captain Manon Field said. "Being able to see a wide range of schools in and out of the Big Ten is always exciting, and I'm looking forward to the momentum from this weekend carrying over to the Big Ten Championships in a few weeks!"
Last Time on the Water
The Gophers opened their spring season April 3-4 at the Rocky Top Invite in Oak Ridge, Tenn., finishing sixth with 69 team points, racing against eight programs, including six ranked in the recent polls. Host Tennessee captured the Volunteer Cup with 198 points after sweeping all five races. In Saturday morning semifinals, the Maroon and Gold posted third-place finishes in the First Varsity Eight and Third Varsity Four, while both Varsity Four crews placed fourth in their races. During the afternoon finals, Minnesota's First Varsity Eight crew closed the regatta with a fifth-place result against four ranked opponents to earn 45 team points. The Third Varsity Fours added a fourth-place championship finish, while the First and Second Varsity Fours each secured third in their respective heats.
Picked up a B1G Weekly Award
For their standout efforts at the Rocky Top Invite to start the spring portion of the schedule, Minnesota's First Varsity Eight crew earned Big Ten Conference Boat of the Week honors. The Gophers upset No. 14 Penn and No. 25 USC in the semifinal with a late rally and their fastest 2,000-meter time of the regatta, advancing to the 'A' final and finishing fifth on Melton Hill Lake. The honor marks the first weekly award of 2025-26 for the Maroon and Gold, extending the program's streak to three-straight years with a conference-recognized boat.
1V8 - Ashley Ohlemacher (cox), Manon Field, Kimberly Klassen, Lexi Schimnowski, Alexa Mueller, Emilie Rish, Madeline Fincham, Nuala Macfarlane, Sophia Pirigyi
Gopher Duo on FSN Watchlist
In February, a pair of Gophers were named to the 3rd Annual For Stars Network Division I Watchlist with Kimberly Klassen and Emilie Rish earning the distinction. A total of 196 student-athletes were chosen from 94 teams across the nation, including the two Minnesota juniors. The FSN Watchlist featured student-athletes that are steadily "on the rise" and have the potential to make a significant impact.
Schimnowski Honored as RBC Future Olympian
Minnesota sophomore Lexi Schimnowski was identified as a 2025 RBC Future Olympian by National Sport Organization (NSO) scouts in February. This honor came after she took part in a gathering of Canada's Top 100 athletes at the RBC Training Ground National Final back in November. As one of the top 35 selected, the East St. Paul, Manitoba, native will receive funding and dedicated support as she continues her pursuit of representing Team Canada on the international stage.
Gophers' Captains Named for 2025-26
The Gophers announced their three captains for the 2025-26 season, including a returning leader and two new captains. Senior Manon Field (Hudson, Wis.) is back for her second year in the leadership group and is joined this year by junior Josefine Freltoft (Copenhagen, Denmark) and senior Nuala Macfarlane. The three veterans on the Minnesota roster will be critical to guide the program for the season.
Head of the Mississippi Hype
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Third Varsity Four Wins Again at B1G Invite
Monday, April 21
Second Novice Eight Wins at B1G Invite
Monday, April 21
First Varsity Four Wins at B1G Invite
Saturday, April 19