Rowing Posts Season-Best Performance at Lake Wheeler Invitational

RALEIGH, N.C. — Following season-best performances across the board, the No. 25 Oklahoma rowing team recorded 11 top-three finishes and one win over two days at the Lake Wheeler Invitational.

"A good way to cap off the regular season," said head coach Sarah Trowbridge. "Each boat was able to have a personal best race. Now focus is on the SEC Championships."

Oklahoma turned in consistent results across all seven crews in a deep 20-team field, highlighted by a victory from the Third Varsity Four (3V4+), which claimed first place in Saturday morning's third-round heat with a time of 7:31.580.

The Sooners saw strong performances from their top boats throughout the weekend. The First Varsity Eight (1V8+) placed second in Friday morning's opening heat (6:29.040) and added a pair of third-place finishes in the afternoon session (6:21.440) and Saturday morning's final (6:24.290).

Oklahoma's Second Varsity Eight (2V8+) also showed consistency, finishing second in its opening heat Friday (6:43.300) before recording back-to-back third-place finishes in the afternoon (6:46.660) and Saturday morning (6:36.560).

In the fours, the Sooners continued their depth with multiple podium finishes. The First Varsity Four (1V4+) placed third in all three rounds, including a strong showing Saturday morning with a time of 7:20.160. The Second Varsity Four (2V4+) added a runner-up finish in Friday's opening heat (7:23.240) and a third-place finish in Saturday's final (7:27.010).

Oklahoma's Third Varsity Four (3V4+) not only captured a win but also placed second in Friday afternoon action (7:34.040), while the Fourth Varsity Eight (4V8+) rounded out the lineup with consistent finishes across all rounds.

As a team, Oklahoma totaled 38 points to place seventh overall in the standings against one of the nation's deepest regular-season fields.

Up next, Oklahoma makes a return trip to Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Melton Lake for the second-ever SEC Championships on May 10. The Sooners will face fellow SEC opponents No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Tennessee and No. 15 Alabama on the water.

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