Irish Face Top Competition At Big Ten Invitational

The University of Notre Dame rowing team spent the weekend on the west coast at the 2026 Big Ten Invitational, hosted by Michigan State at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma located in Sacramento, California. 

The Irish have faced several of the top teams in the nation already this season and this weekend’s regatta was perhaps the most challenging of the season for any competing team until they enter post season racing. Notre Dame raced against (CRCA Coaches Poll presented by Pocock) No. 5 Washington, No. 9 California, No. 12 Rutgers, No. 16 Ohio State, No. 17 Michigan,  No. 20 UCLA and No. 23 Indiana in 18 races over the course of two days. 

The Irish will be back in action next week at the MACRA (Mid-America Collegiate Rowing Association) Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 26. 

Saturday, April 18, Morning Session

1V8

Annmarie Wallis (coxswain), Maya Fister, Elizabeth Tessen, Lily Crook, Grayson Conway, Christina Steinki, Sara Louser, Emma Hopsicker, Caroline Johnson 

1. Ohio State, 6:18.687
2. Rutgers, 6:20.319
3. UCLA, 6:23.929
4. San Diego, 6:39.187
5. Notre Dame, 6:41.712

1V4

Nicolette Cottingham (coxswain), Lauren Marino, Lauren Jonlich, Elle Kilgannon, Mary O’Shea 

1. Rutgers, 7:06.421
2. Ohio State, 7:18.828
3. UCLA, 7:21.418
4. Notre Dame, 7:34.018
5. San Diego, 7:37.378

2V8

Margaret Abbott (coxswain), Madison Naman, Reece McNutt, Courtney French, Christina Henning, Anna Kahl, Nora Barth, Scarlett Quinn, Claire Macy 

1. Rutgers, 6:30.134
2. Ohio State, 6:36.989
3. UCLA, 6:37.534
4. Notre Dame, 6:44.972
5. San Diego, 7:11.354

2V4

Samantha Hendrzak (coxswain), Morgan Rice, Lauren O’Grady, Molly Hackett, Grace Taylor

1. Rutgers, 7:13.047
2. UCLA, 7:26.334
3. Ohio State, 7:28.939
4. Notre Dame, 7:36.434
5. San Diego, 7:56.962

Saturday, April 18, Afternoon Session

1V8

Annmarie Wallis (coxswain), Maya Fister, Elizabeth Tessen, Lily Crook, Grayson Conway, Emma Hopsicker, Sara Louser, Christina Steinki, Caroline Johnson 

1. California, 6:10.923
2. Washington, 6:13.538
3. UCLA, 6:23.931
4. Michigan, 6:24.176
5. Notre Dame, 6:50.378

1V4

Nicolette Cottingham (coxswain), Lauren Marino, Lauren Jonlich, Elle Kilgannon, Mary O’Shea 

1. Washington, 7:08.557
2. California, 7:12.967
3. Michigan, 7:16.017
4. UCLA, 7:31.122
5. Notre Dame, 7:41.955

2V8

Margaret Abbott (coxswain), Madison Naman, Reece McNutt, Courtney French, Christina Henning, Anna Kahl, Nora Barth, Scarlett Quinn, Claire Macy 

1. Washington, 6:24.702
2. California, 6:28.255
3. Michigan, 6:33.937
4. UCLA, 6:45.007
5. Notre Dame, 6:51.727

2V4

Samantha Hendrzak (coxswain), Morgan Rice, Lauren O’Grady, Molly Hackett, Grace Taylor

1. Washington, 7:14.724
2. California, 7:20.779
3. Michigan, 7:33.847
4. UCLA, 7:38.987
5. Notre Dame, 7:45.449

Sunday, April 19, Morning Session

1V8

Annmarie Wallis (coxswain), Maya Fister, Elizabeth Tessen, Christina Steinki, Grayson Conway, Emma Hopsicker, Sara Louser, Lily Crook, Caroline Johnson 

1. Ohio State, 6:25.988
2. Oregon State, 6:29.253
3. Indiana, 6:32.133
4. Michigan State, 6:44.273
5. Notre Dame, 6:51.533

2V8

Margaret Abbott (coxswain), Madison Naman, Reece McNutt, Courtney French, Christina Henning, Anna Kahl, Nora Barth, Scarlett Quinn, Claire Macy

1. Indiana, 6:37.188
2. Oregon State, 6:37.841
3. Ohio State, 6:41.158
4. Notre Dame, 6:54.988
5. Michigan State, 6:59.808

1V4

Nicolette Cottingham (coxswain), Lauren Marino, Lauren Jonlich, Elle Kilgannon, Mary O’Shea 

1. Oregon State, 7:25.234
2. Indiana, 7:29.332
3. Ohio State, 7:30.599
4. Notre Dame, 7:34.624
5. Michigan State, 7:43.477

2V4

Samantha Hendrzak (coxswain), Morgan Rice, Lauren O’Grady, Molly Hackett, Grace Taylor

1. Oregon State, 7:25.234
2. Indiana, 7:29.332
3. Ohio State, 7:30.599
4. Notre Dame, 7:34.624
5. Michigan State, 7:43.477