Rowing Hosting Michigan State Saturday

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University rowing team hosts Michigan State University for a non-conference dual on the EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake, April 4. The home regatta offers the Eagles a key measuring stick against a Big Ten foe as the spring slate ramps up.

A full race preview with Head Coach Kemp Savage can be found here.

THE SETTING

Eastern Michigan welcomes Michigan State to its home course on Ford Lake in Ypsilanti for a regional dual. The matchup gives EMU a chance to line up against a strong program on familiar water.

Opponent: Michigan State (No. 20 in preseason 2026 CRCA/Pocock Coaches Poll)

Date: Saturday, April 4

Start Time: 10 a.m. 3V8+, 10:15 a.m. 1V4+, 10:30 a.m. 2V8+, 1V8+ 10:45 a.m.

Location: EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake, Ypsilanti, Mich.

Spectators should head to 9075 S. Huron River Drive and be prepared for a $10 parking fee upon entrance to Ford Lake Park.

Format: Non-conference dual

LAST MEETING RECAP

Racing on Ford Lake April 5, 2025, EMU's First Varsity Eight clocked 7:00.1 against Michigan State's 6:36.6, while the Second Varsity Eight finished in 7:18.9 to MSU's 6:56.1. The series has produced tight margins, highlighted by the April 2, 2022, dual in which the Eagles' Second Varsity Eight came just 0.04 seconds shy of the Spartans (7:29.60 to 7:29.56).

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

Michigan State enters the 2026 campaign is battle-tested from Big Ten competition. The Spartans most recently raced at the Sarasota 2K, March 27-28, with the following results:

Varsity Eight: fifth in the Petite Final (7:07.56)

Second Varsity Eight: sixth in the Petite Final (7:32.19)

Varsity Four: fourth in the Third Level Final (8:40.59)

Big Ten history: seventh at the 2025 conference meet; eighth in 2023 and 2022

SERIES AND STORYLINES

A recurring regional matchup, EMU and MSU continue a competitive series on Ford Lake. The Eagles' home-course familiarity has yielded tight racing in past meetings, providing valuable barometer races as EMU builds through the heart of its spring calendar.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

For Eastern Michigan, narrowing margins against the Spartans' top boats would mark a significant step as the Eagles gear up for the latter half of the season and MAC Championship preparations. For Michigan State, the dual serves as a regional tune-up as the Spartans test their speed and depth following the Sarasota 2K.

ON THE HORIZON

EMU continues its spring slate with an eye toward the MAC Championship, May 16. Eastern heads to the Knecht Cup, April 11-12, in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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