The University of Louisville rowing team concluded the 14th annual Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational with notable performances, including a Varsity 8 victory. Head coach Derek Copeland noted the importance of on-water training leading up to the event, although the team felt the strain during races. Louisville competed against ranked teams such as No. 24 Oklahoma, Navy, No. 14 Indiana, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin, achieving a blend of wins and losses. Key highlights included two race victories and the opportunity for nearly the entire roster to compete, showcasing the team鈥檚 developing depth. The Cards will take a short break before their next event, the Sarasota 2k, on March 27-28.

By the Numbers
  • Louisville鈥檚 Varsity 8 won with a time of 6:42.796, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Notre Dame.
  • The Cards鈥� Third Varsity 4 secured victory in 7:52.833, defeating Alabama's Third Varsity 4.
State of Play
  • In total, Louisville competed in three sessions throughout the weekend.
  • The team faced off against some of the top programs, including ranked opponents, providing high-level competition.
What's Next

After an 11-day hiatus, Louisville rowing will return to competition at the Sarasota 2k, looking to build on its early-season performance and further test its growing depth.

Bottom Line

Louisville's strong showing at the Oak Ridge Invitational indicates promising potential for the season, especially with increasingly competitive lineups and winning results in multiple categories.