Louisville Concludes Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational

Sunday, March 16

Oak Ridge, TN

All Day

University of Louisville

Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational

The Louisville rowing team practices on the Ohio River

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

March 16, 2025 | Rowing

By: Lori Harmon

The University of Louisville rowing team wrapped up action at the 13^th annual Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational Sunday at Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

After Saturday's schedule was altered due to severe weather, the Cardinals were able race five boats against No. 19 Alabama and Atlantic Coast Conference opponent North Carolina on the final day of the event.

"The weather really tested us all this weekend," said UofL head coach Derek Copeland. "Tornado watches, hail, and tons of rain kept us all on our toes. I am grateful to the race organizers, referees, and all the other programs for their flexibility. Our team did an exceptional job adapting and preparing to race. We fielded all the boats for the first time in a few years and that is a great step for the program."

The day was highlighted by the second varsity eight boat. Coxswain Olivia Guarnaccia guided Haley Kunz, Cierra Chavez, Taylor Fausey, Madeline Giron, Lauren Stedry, Clara Jane Van Dyk, Emma Bell and Ellie Fazio to a second-place finish behind the 19^th-ranked Crimson Tide and five second ahead of North Carolina."

"With the addition of Stanford, Cal and SMU, we know the ACC is going to be one of the best rowing conferences. We saw how real that is with our ACC matchups this weekend. It is pretty clear that we are going to need to shut down some of these margins if we except to move up with this group."

Louisville will return to action on March 28 when the Cards return to Oak Ridge for the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta.

"Overall it is clear to us that we have made a lot of improvements as a team," said Copeland. "We have a lot of work to do to maximize those gains on the water."

Oak Ridge Cardinal Invite
Oak Ridge, Tenn. | Melton Lake
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Complete Results

Second Varsity 8
1 – North Carolina (7:14.484); 2 – Alabama (7:30.605); 3 – Louisville (7:53.776)
Third Varsity 8
1 – Alabama (6:46.750); 2 – North Carolina (6:49.510); 3 – Louisville (6:58.988)
Second Varsity 8
1 – Alabama (6:31.423); 2 – Louisville (6:38.288); North Carolina (6:43.930)
Second Varsity 4
1 – North Carolina (7:14.484); 2 – Alabama (7:30.605); 3 – Louisville (7:53.776)
Third Varsity 8
1 – Alabama (6:46.750); 2 – North Carolina (6:49.510); 3 – Louisville (6:58.988)

Louisville Lineups
Varsity 8
Coxswain: Mackenna Billington
8 – Lexi Bernard
7 - Mary Noschang
6 – Kaylie Leonard
5 – Claire Carver-Ritter
4 – Donata Elez
3 – Grace Rodebaugh
2 – Macy Whisenand
1 – Isabella Ulloa

Second Varsity 8
Coxswain: Olivia Guarnaccia
8 – Haley Kunz
7 – Cierra Chavez
6 – Taylor Fausey
5 – Madeline Giron
4 – Lauren Stedry
3 – Clara Jane Van Dyk
2 – Emma Bell
1 – Ellie Fazio

Varsity 4
4 – Angels Ventura Rodriguez
3 – Gabriella Allen
2 – Graycen West
1 – Emilie Moreira
C – Cecilia Kern

Second Varsity 4
4 – Stella Mancini
3 – Neala Marshall
2 – Ali Matthews
1 – Olivia Koproski
Coxswain: Madelyn Pleune

Third Varsity 8
Coxswain: Leah Watters
8 - Bria Ragauckas
7 – Keira Krebs
6 – Kate Eisenbeis
5 – Bradlie Hicks
4 – Julia Shoemaker
3 – Alana Cureton
2 – Claudia Smith
1 – Addison Sorrell