Fast Times Across The Board For Rowing On First Day At Lake Wheeler Invitational

Friday, April 24

Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina

Lake Wheeler Invitational

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Fast Times Across The Board For Rowing On First Day At Lake Wheeler Invitational

April 24, 2026 | Women's Rowing

RALEIGH, N.C. – On the first day of racing at the seventh annual Lake Wheeler Invitational, No. 22 North Carolina rowing rattled off multiple first-place finishes in an overall strong day for six boats.

"We thought the team raced well today and had some really good battles against fast opponents we were excited to see here," said head coach Erin Neppel. "Shout out to our 4V who had a great day racing against athletes from the 3V boat class. Overall we are pumped for the opportunity to turn it around and build on today's efforts against a fast field tomorrow. It's been a great weekend so far."

Kicking off the morning with a season-best time in the 3V8, the Tar Heel crew raced off to a first-place finish at 6:33.7. Carolina came through with another top-three finish shortly after, with the 4V8 placing third at 6:49.4. The fast morning continued for Carolina, with the V4 earning another first-place victory at 7:20.6 with its second-fastest time of the spring. The 2V8 and the V8 capped off the morning with back-to-back second-place finishes, with respective times of 6:38.3 and 6:27.6.

Going one and two in the first race of the afternoon, the 3V8 raced off to first with a time of 6:39.0 followed by the 4V8 in second at 6:47.5. Earning its second top two finish of the day, the 2V4 edged out Alabama at 7:34.2 to finish second.

Racing off to one of its top times of the season, the V4 earned its best time of the day at 7:20.4 to add more points for Carolina with a second-place finish. The 2V8 rattled off a 13-second margin of victory to defeat Alabama and finish first in its final race of the day. The V8 capped off the Tar Heels' strong day on the water, wrapping up in second place with a time of 6:32.8.

The Tar Heels return to the water tomorrow morning to wrap up the Lake Wheeler Invitational, with racing starting at 9:00 a.m. ET.

All races from Lake Wheeler will be streamed on ACC Network Extra, with results available via Regatta Timing.

For fans interested in attending this weekend's races, all information can be found below.

Saturday April 25, 2026
• Beverage service will be open from 8 a.m. until noon.
• Location: Viewing area (deck)
• Beer, wine, cold coffee and sports drinks will be available.

T-Shirts, Long-Sleeved Shirts & Hats
• Collectible Lake Wheeler Invitational Regatta merchandise will be available, including short-sleeved t-shirts ($30), long-sleeved shirts ($35) and hats ($30).

Tickets
Rowing events are not ticketed, and seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Access via the main entry to Lake Wheeler Park is the recommended entry point. There are limited bleachers available, and spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Clear bags are not required for entry.

Parking & Traffic
Parking opens at 7 a.m. every morning, costs $20 per vehicle (credit card only) per day and allows vehicular access throughout that particular day. There are ADA parking and carts available to assist with getting spectators to and from the spectator viewing area. Parking and event staff will assist with directing to the appropriate spots as well as arranging the golf cart shuttles as needed. Golf cart service is provided throughout the event until approximately 30 minutes following competition. Click here to view the parking map.

FRIDAY RESULTS
MORNING RACES
3V8
1. UNC – 6:33.7
2. Miami – 6:44.6
3. SMU – 7:00.1

4V8
1. Virginia – 6:35.9
2. Alabama – 6:41.73.
3. UNC – 6:49.4

2V4
1. Miami – 7:16.7
2. UNC – 7:17.4
3. SMU – 7:27.0

V4
1. UNC – 7:20.6
2. Miami – 7:22.7
3. SMU – 7:28.5

3V8
1. Miami – 6:33.9
2. UNC – 6:38.3
3. SMU – 6:43.8

V8
1. Miami – 6:24.6
2. UNC – 6:27.6
3. Clemson – 6:27.7

AFTERNOON RACES
3V8 & 4V8
1. UNC 3V8 – 6:39.00
2. UNC 4V8 – 6:47.5
3. Alabama – 6:48.62

V4
1. Alabama – 7:29.6
2. UNC – 7:34.2
3. Alabama 3V4 – 7:44.9

V4
1. Alabama – 7:17.7
2. UNC – 7:20.4
3. Georgetown – 7:32.8

2V8
1. UNC – 6:40.5
2. Alabama – 6:53.0
3. Georgetown – 6:57.9

V8
1. Alabama – 6:29.8
2. UNC – 6:32.8
3. Villanova – 6:51.3

SATURDAY SCHEDULE
9:10 a.m. – 4V8
9:20 a.m. – 3V8
9:50 a.m. – 2V4
10:20 a.m. – V4
10:50 a.m. – 2V8
11:20 a.m. – V8

LINEUPS
V8
Coxswain: Alix de Saint-Aignan
Stroke: Maya Schultz
Seven Seat: Lindsey Troftgruben
Six Seat: Sydney Hebert
Five Seat: Mimi Brown
Four Seat: Harper Keen
Three Seat: Cam Howard
Two Seat: Anni Stamer
Bow: Carmen Sagues

2V8
Coxswain: Katelyn Hawley
Stroke: Evie Wells
Seven Seat: Ella Gusick
Six Seat: Maria Anayiotou
Five Seat: Teagan Kleckley
Four Seat: Kate Hendershott
Three Seat: Gabby Postiglione
Two Seat: Anna Lily Laborde
Bow: Sydney Tuck

V4
Coxswain: Gracie Keyt
Stroke: Molly Dansby
Three Seat: Chloe Gaither
Two Seat: Lili DeMarco
Bow: Ayda Suing

2V4
Coxswain: Virginia Floyd
Stroke: Seren Page
Three Seat: Dayle Snively
Two Seat: Katelyn Johnson
Bow: Caroline Leahy

3V8
Coxswain: Mary Evelyn Pearce
Stroke: Alice Clark
Seven Seat: Candela Cappa
Six Seat: Sarah Fox
Five Seat: Julia Bucknavage
Four Seat: Ella Malafa
Three Seat: Sarah Knox Harper
Two Seat: Mia Dansby
Bow: Lizzie Hall

4V8
Coxswain: Adele Kopis
Stroke: Charlie Grace Gibbs
Seven Seat: Ella Woroniecki
Six Seat: Sophia Korbani
Five Seat: Mallory Stetler
Four Seat: Olivia Kurtz
Three Seat: Nora Schroeder
Two Seat: Erin Morely
Bow: Avery Shippy