Wisconsin Badgers
Cardinal Invite
F(oar) things to know: Badgers kick off spring with Cardinal Invite
March 13, 2025 | Women's Rowing
Rowers head to Tennessee to open spring rowing season
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team begins its spring racing season this Saturday and Sunday, March, 15-16, at the Cardinal Invitational on Melton Lake.
Before they hit the water, here are f(oar) things to know:
1. SPRING AHEAD: The Cardinal Invite marks the first of two regular season regattas before the 2025 Big Ten Championships scheduled for Sunday, May 18, in Indianapolis.
Before the Badgers get to the conference championships, they'll also compete at the Big Ten Invitational at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, on Friday and Saturday, April 18-19.
UW will also host a scrimmage against Minnesota in Madison on Saturday, May 3.
The openweights begin spring rowing this weekend with the Cardinal Invite! 🚣♀️ pic.twitter.com/1Duy1M7rmQ
— Wisconsin Rowing (@BadgerRowing) March 11, 2025
2. CARDINAL INVITE PREVIEW: This weekend, the Badgers will compete against boats from Alabama, Indiana, Notre Dame, UNC and Navy. Boats from Duke and host school Louisville will also race at the regatta.
Wisconsin rowers will be put to the test early as they battle ranked opponents and stormy weather. In the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association preseason poll from March 11, Indiana was ranked 15th, Notre Dame was ranked 18th and Alabama came in at No. 19 in the nation. Additionally, the Oak Ridge area is forecasted to have heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday, and racing times are subject to change due to the weather.
3. CONGRATS, COACH CHRIS: Prior to the start of the spring season, Chris Lalande, who has been a longtime volunteer coach with UW rowing, was hired as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team.
Lalande has been a volunteer assistant coach with UW rowing since 2005, beginning with the openweights through the 2012-13 season, when she transitioned to work with the lightweights. In her role as a volunteer coach, she coached the technique and performance of student-athletes, helping them develop rowing skills and refine their mental approach to the sport.
Read more about Lalande's hiring here.
Congrats, Chris Lalande!
— Wisconsin Rowing (@BadgerRowing) February 27, 2025
The longtime volunteer coach has been hired as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team.
Read more: https://t.co/6cMSoVuk0a pic.twitter.com/i5RQjV5Rsw
4. FOLLOW ALONG: Live results for this weekend's event can be found here.
2025 Cardinal Invitational
March 15-16
Melton Lake
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
2000 meters
*schedule subject to change due to weather conditions
SATURDAY, MARCH 15 (Times are CT)
Wisconsin, Alabama, Indiana
10:58 a.m. - 3V8/1N8
11:06 a.m. - V8
11:14 a.m. - 1V4
11:22 a.m. - 2V8
Wisconsin, UNC, Notre Dame
4:09 p.m. - 3V8/1N8
4:17 p.m. - V8
4:25 p.m. - 1V4
4:33 p.m. - 2V8
SUNDAY, MARCH 16
Wisconsin, Notre Dame
8:34 a.m. - 3V8/1N8
Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Navy
8:42 a.m. - V8
8:50 a.m. - 1V4
8:58 a.m. - 2V8
