University of Michigan participating in the 2024 Big Ten Invitational. Provided photo.

For crews all over the country, there is no place like Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park. The park has become a staple in the US and international rowing community, housing countless regattas and trials, including the 2024 Summer Olympic trials for team USA. This weekend, from April 18 to 19, the park will host the annual Big Ten Women’s Rowing Invitational Regatta, one of the premier regattas in collegiate crew.

The regatta, which is hosted by the University of Michigan in addition to Nathan Benderson Park, will feature all eleven of the Big Ten women’s rowing varsity programs in addition to 12 other programs from additional conferences including the SEC, ACC, AAC, Big 12 and the Ivy League. Headlining the event is the University of Washington, currently ranked third in the nation according to the April 15 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Poll. Washington, in its first season in the Big Ten conference after the near complete dissolution of the PAC-12 conference in 2024, will look to make a name for itself ahead of the Big Ten championship May 17 and 18.

“This will be our first Big Ten Invitational and we’re really looking forward to it. Typically at this point in the season, we’ll have had the chance to get a look at the other West coast teams at the San Diego Crew Classic, which we did this year, but all eyes are going to be on this regatta,” says Washington head coach Yasmin Farooq. “Not only is the entire Big Ten competing, but to have 23 teams on one awesome course is going to make for fantastic racing. W’ere looking forward to maybe a little preview of the Big Ten championships, but also just having a great opportunity for a lot of cross regional references.”

The other highest-ranked member of the Big Ten is Rutgers University, currently listed as the ninth best team in the country according to the April 15 coaches’ poll. Rutgers, led by head coach Justin Price, placed third behind Indiana and eventual Big Ten champions Michigan.

“We’re fired up and excited for this event,” says Price. “We take a lot of pride in being a part of the Big Ten. We’re also very appreciative of all of the guests that are coming to participate in the regatta to make it something really special.”

April 18 to 19, Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle.

University of Michigan participating in the 2024 Big Ten Invitational. Provided photo.

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