The University of Minnesota rowing team is set to compete in the 2026 Big Ten Rowing Invitational on April 18-19 in Sacramento, California. The Golden Gophers will field seven crews across three sessions, taking on 13 rival teams, including eight ranked programs, in a total of 21 races. The event kicks off at 10:30 a.m. PT on Saturday with additional sessions throughout the weekend. Minnesota's captain expressed eagerness to assess their progress against quality competition, hoping to build momentum for future championships.

By the Numbers
  • 19 teams participating, including all 11 Big Ten teams.
  • 8 of the competing programs are ranked in the Pocock CRCA national poll.
State of Play
  • Gophers previously competed at the Rocky Top Invite, finishing sixth against eight programs, including six ranked teams.
  • First Varsity Eight crew earned Big Ten Boat of the Week honors following strong performance at the Invite.
What's Next

Post-invitational, the Golden Gophers aim to leverage their competitive experiences for success in the upcoming Big Ten Championships.

Bottom Line

The Gophers are looking to harness the lessons learned from this weekend's races to enhance their strategy and performance going forward, showcasing their potential both in this invitational and at the championships ahead.