University of Tennessee Athletics
Rowing Central: Tennessee Gets 2026 Campaign Underway Against Michigan
March 13, 2026 | Rowing
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The fourth-ranked Tennessee rowing team gets its 2026 season underway on Saturday, with the Lady Vols hosting the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines. The contest will be held in Clinton, Tennessee at Clinton City Park.
The Lady Vols are coming off their second-straight season finishing in the top five at the NCAA Championships. The program finished third in 2024, following that up with a fifth place finish to cap the 2025 season. This solidified the most successful two-year stretch in program history. Prior to this recent run for the Big Orange, the best finish in team history at the national event was ninth in 2007.
Tennessee also earned a second place finish at the inaugural SEC Championships, including three gold medal winning performances for the team. The Lady Vols return a pair of rowers that garnered All-America honors. 2025 CRCA Athlete of the Year Alex Pidgeon and Second Team All-American Meg Flanagan return to the team in 2026. All-SEC rower is also back for the team as they look to continue their run competing at the highest level in the sport.
Last month, four Lady Vols were named to the CRCA Athletes to Watch list. The aforementioned Pidgeon and Flanagan were joined by Taryn Graves and Nicole Campbell. Athletes nominated to the list get chosen by taking into account their performance, consistency, leadership skills, work ethic, and sportsmanship. Â
Two rowers also head into the season after garnering international acclaim as well. Flanagan was named the Under 23 New Zealand Female Athlete of the Year. At the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, Flanagan helped lead New Zealand's 4- to a bronze medal along with teammate Campbel. Maylie Valiquette was named the Rowing Canada Aviron U23 Athlete of the Year. Valiquette also helped lead her home nation to a bronze medal at the Under 23 World Championships, with Canada doing so in the Eight Final. Valiquette was joined in the race by Tennessee teammate Ellexi Fulton.
Up Next
After this competition, Tennessee is back on the water on March 28 as it hosts No.1-ranked Stanford. The race will be held in Oak Ridge at Melton Hill Lake.
For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Tennessee rowing on X (Twitter) and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
The Lady Vols are coming off their second-straight season finishing in the top five at the NCAA Championships. The program finished third in 2024, following that up with a fifth place finish to cap the 2025 season. This solidified the most successful two-year stretch in program history. Prior to this recent run for the Big Orange, the best finish in team history at the national event was ninth in 2007.
Tennessee also earned a second place finish at the inaugural SEC Championships, including three gold medal winning performances for the team. The Lady Vols return a pair of rowers that garnered All-America honors. 2025 CRCA Athlete of the Year Alex Pidgeon and Second Team All-American Meg Flanagan return to the team in 2026. All-SEC rower is also back for the team as they look to continue their run competing at the highest level in the sport.
Last month, four Lady Vols were named to the CRCA Athletes to Watch list. The aforementioned Pidgeon and Flanagan were joined by Taryn Graves and Nicole Campbell. Athletes nominated to the list get chosen by taking into account their performance, consistency, leadership skills, work ethic, and sportsmanship. Â
Two rowers also head into the season after garnering international acclaim as well. Flanagan was named the Under 23 New Zealand Female Athlete of the Year. At the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, Flanagan helped lead New Zealand's 4- to a bronze medal along with teammate Campbel. Maylie Valiquette was named the Rowing Canada Aviron U23 Athlete of the Year. Valiquette also helped lead her home nation to a bronze medal at the Under 23 World Championships, with Canada doing so in the Eight Final. Valiquette was joined in the race by Tennessee teammate Ellexi Fulton.
Up Next
After this competition, Tennessee is back on the water on March 28 as it hosts No.1-ranked Stanford. The race will be held in Oak Ridge at Melton Hill Lake.
For the most up-to-date information about the program, follow Tennessee rowing on X (Twitter) and Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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