UNC Rowing: Balancing Competitiveness with Camaraderie

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Courtney Howell
Correspondent

CHAPEL HILL — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rowing team is entering the 2026 season with a balance of competitive intensity and trust, a combination team members say is essential to success on and off the water.

Determined and cohesive, the UNC rowing team begins each day with early morning practices focused on technique, endurance and synchronization. Those sessions, athletes say, are as much about building unity as they are about improving speed.

Leadership from experienced returners helps guide younger athletes, fostering accountability that extends beyond the boat. With a strong incoming class joining seasoned rowers, the Tar Heels are looking to build on last season’s momentum while maintaining the pride and resilience associated with the program.

Trust, athletes say, is developed through consistency.

“The biggest way we build trust is by doing the little things,” junior Molly Dansby said. “Every stroke, every meter, every second we spend together, we’re giving 100 percent. You know you’re not just going fast for yourself, but for the people around you. That’s how we build a strong foundation of trust.”

Representing UNC brings a responsibility that extends beyond competition, Head Coach Erin Neppel said.

“The team aspect is everything,” Neppel said. “It’s incredibly difficult and rigorous, and they’re proud to choose to do this at a high level every day for this school. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with putting on that uniform with the block NC.”

UNC Rowing remained nationally ranked throughout the 2025 season, sitting between No. 19 and No. 25, and finished in the top half of the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of collegiate rowing’s most competitive leagues.

Early in the spring, the Tar Heels entered the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Top 25 at No. 21 after a dominant showing at the Cardinal Invitational. UNC boats won nine races, including a 6–0 scoring performance against Navy and multiple victories over Alabama and Louisville. The performance earned ACC Crew of the Week honors, highlighted by a third-place finish from the second varsity four in the grand final and a seventh-place finish by the varsity eight in the petite final. UNC closed the season sixth overall in the ACC.

“I would say that was our best season in two decades,” Neppel said. “We’re excited to see new opponents this spring and compete at an even higher level in the ACC.”

For the Tar Heels, success extends beyond race results. Athletes emphasize daily improvement, mutual support and long-term development as defining aspects of the program.

“We encourage and celebrate intense competition,” Neppel said. “But we also emphasize being good teammates and good people. That chemistry and energy is something we actively look for in recruiting.”

Photo courtesy of North Carolina Athletics

UNC Rowing holds itself to standards of effort, grit and gratitude toward both teammates and the broader UNC-Chapel Hill community. Whether competing at home on Lake Wheeler or traveling to venues such as Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the team aims to represent the university with pride.

“Rowing isn’t a sport everyone is exposed to,” Neppel said. “I hope people enjoy learning about it. It’s impressive how strong and synchronized these athletes are — and how they make something so difficult look easy.”

As the 2026 season unfolds, the Tar Heels will measure success not only in victories, but in the unity, effort and growth that continue to define Carolina rowing.