UNC rowing dominates Lake Wheeler Invitational with five first place finishes

Raleigh, NC – Wrapping up competition at the Lake Wheeler Invitational on Saturday, No. 24 North Carolina rowing came rearing to go in the final round with all five boats claiming first place finishes.

photo by Gene Galin

The Tar Heels conclude its time at the Lake Wheeler Invitational with 61 total points to finish in fifth place.


Participating Teams: 18 teams, including:

  • Boston College 
  • Boston University 
  • Bucknell 
  • Clemson University 
  • Columbia University (No. 20) 
  • Duke University (No. 18) 
  • Georgetown University 
  • Gonzaga 
  • Jacksonville University 
  • University of Kansas 
  • University of Louisville 
  • University of Miami 
  • University of North Carolina (No. 24) 
  • University of Rhode Island 
  • University of Virginia (No. 12) 
  • U.S. Naval Academy 
  • Villanova 
  • Washington State University 

Ranked Teams: Four teams are ranked in the Pocock Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Top 25: Virginia (No. 12), Duke (No. 18), Columbia (No. 20), and North Carolina (No. 24).


“Overall, the weekend was great for the program. It’s an improvement over the last couple of years as we continue to get better and better, and this weekend was an awesome representation of that.” said head coach Erin Neppel. “As we get ready to enter our postseason, its nice to see fast crews and have such good races. Very proud of our 3V8 and 2V4 who had the most stunning victories of the weekend.”

photo by Gene Galin

“To sweep on Saturday morning in front of all our friends and on Senior Day, it was a very cool way to wrap up the regular season.”

photo by Gene Galin

The Tar Heels return to the water on May 15 for a chance to earn a trophy at the 2025 ACC Rowing Championships in Clemson.

SATURDAY RESULTS
3V8 

  1. UNC: 7:00.390

2V4 

  1. 7:23.235

V4 

  1. 7:22.095

2V8 

  1. 6:38.280

V8 

  1. 6:29.543

LINEUPS
V8
Coxswain: Alix de Saint-Aignan
Stroke: Carmen Sagues
Seven Seat: Chloe Gaither
Six Seat: Lindsey Troftgruben
Five Seat: Ella Gusick
Four Seat: Kate Hendershott
Three Seat: Sydney Hebert
Two Seat: Kate MacBryde
Bow: Sydney Tuck

2V8
Coxswain: Cara Cunningham
Stroke: Molly Dansby
Seven Seat: Madelaine Johnson
Six Seat: Anna Lily Laborde
Five Seat: Ava Balukonis
Four Seat: Maria Anayiotou
Three Seat: Sophia Korbani
Two Seat: Caroline Leahy
Bow: Annabelle Stamer

1V4
Coxswain: Katelyn Hawley
Stroke: Claudia Quintaba
Three Seat: Cam Howard
Two Seat: Teagan Kleckley
Bow: Evelyn Wells

2V4
Coxswain: Josephine Antrella
Stroke: Gabby Postiglione
Three Seat: Mimi Brown
Two Seat: Kathryn Cummings
Bow: Madison Haller

3V8
Coxswain: Katarina Keller
Stroke: Emma Dalton
Seven Seat: Lili DeMarco
Six Seat: Chloe Schneider
Five Seat: Molly Warden
Four Seat: Julia Bucknavage
Three Seat: Erin Morley
Two Seat: Sarah Redden
Bow: Ayda Suing