Rowing Heads to Florida this Weekend for the Big Ten Invitational

SARASOTA, Fla. – The No. 19-ranked Washington State rowing team gears up for a big weekend in the Sunshine State, as the Cougars are set to compete in the Big Ten Invitational. The two-day regatta opens Friday, April 15, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida and ends Saturday, April 16.

The Cougs are coming off a successful regatta at last weekend's Pac-12 Invitational. WSU defeated a pair of top-20 teams in the first varsity eight and first varsity four races in Las Vegas. Washington State's performance at the Pac-12 Invitational put the Cougars back in the CRCA/Pocock Poll, as WSU came in No. 19 in this week's poll.

A total of 16 schools will be in Sarasota this weekend to compete at the Big Ten Invitational. Several of the nation's best crews will be at this weekend's regatta including No. 2 Stanford, No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Brown, No. 8 Ohio State, No. 10 Duke, No. 17 Rutgers, No. 18 Tennessee and No. 20 Indiana. Notre Dame, Dartmouth, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Iowa will also be in attendance in Sarasoa this weekend. The regatta takes place on the 2022 NCAA Rowing Championships course, as Nathan Benderson Park is set to host this year's championship races.

Friday will feature two heats of racing, while Saturday will only feature one heat. No. 19 WSU will row against No. 6 Michigan, No. 12 Virginia and No. 17 Rutgers Friday morning, then take on No. 8 Ohio State, Minnesota, and Dartmouth in Friday's afternoon's heats. Saturday will see the Cougars race against No. 7 Brown, No. 17 Rutgers, and Wisconsin.

WSU kicks off the Big Ten Invitational with the 2V4+ race Friday at 6:50 a.m. PT. The Cougars will then race in back-to-back heats, as the 1V8+ starts at 8:20 a.m. PT, followed by the 2V8+ at 8:30 a.m. PT. The morning heats come to an end at 9:20 a.m. PT with the 1V4+ race.

Washington State returns to the water at 12:35 p.m. PT on Friday for the 2V4+ race. The 1V8+ follows at 2:05 p.m. PT, then the 2V8+ starts at 2:15 p.m. PT. The 1V4+ ends Friday's slate of races at 3:05 p.m. PT.

Saturday's slate of heats is set to begin at 6:10 a.m. PT with the 2V4+. The 1V8+ hits the water at 8 a.m. PT Saturday, followed by the 2V8+ at 8:10 a.m. PT. The Big Ten Invitational comes to an end for Washington State at 9:10 a.m. PT on Saturday with the 2V4+.

Results for the Big Ten Invitational can be found by clicking the link here. Fans find results on the WSU rowing team's social media pages at @WSUCougarRowing on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

For more information on the Washington State rowing team, follow @WSUCougarRowing on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

WSU's Big Ten Invitational Regatta Schedule (All Times in Pacific)

Friday A.M. Races, April 15 - (WSU vs. No. 6 Michigan, No. 12 Virginia, No. 17 Rutgers)
6:50 a.m. - 2V4+ Race
8:20 a.m. - 1V8+ Race
8:30 a.m. - 2V8+ Race
9:20 a.m. - 1V4+ Race

Friday P.M. Races, April 15 - (WSU vs. No. 8 Ohio State, Minnesota, Dartmouth)
12:35 p.m. - 2V4+ Race
2:05 p.m. - 1V8+ Race
2:15 p.m. - 2V8+ Race
3:05 p.m. - 1V4+ Race

Saturday Races, April 16 - (WSU vs. No. 7 Brown, No. 17 Rutgers, Wisconsin)
6:10 a.m. - 2V4+ Race
8:00 a.m. - 1V8+ Race
8:10 a.m. - 2V8+ Race
9:10 a.m. - 1V4+ Race