SEC rowing championship returns to Oak Ridge for second year

The second annual Southeastern Conference (SEC) Rowing Championship will return to Oak Ridge this Sunday, May 10, on Melton Hill Lake.

The event will be hosted in partnership with the Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA), which also hosted the inaugural event last year.

Four universities will compete in this year’s championship: Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Each will bring top-tier talent to East Tennessee. The event is expected to bring approximately 200 collegiate athletes to Oak Ridge, according to the ORRA website.

The 2026 SEC Rowing Championship will begin at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, May 10, and will air live on SEC Network+ in the ESPN app. A replay of the championship will be broadcast on May 11 at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.

“The success of last year’s inaugural SEC Rowing Championship in Oak Ridge made the decision to return an easy one,” Tiffany Daniels, SEC associate commissioner, said in the news release. “From the quality of competition on Melton Hill Lake to the exceptional partnership with the Oak Ridge Rowing Association and the strong local support, the event exceeded expectations in every way. We are excited to build on that momentum and once again showcase the very best of SEC rowing in a championship environment.”

“We are proud to welcome the Southeastern Conference back to Oak Ridge for the 2026 SEC Rowing Championship,” said Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch. “Melton Hill Lake continues to prove itself as a premier venue for championship rowing, showcasing not only world-class competition but also the strength of our community and the dedication of our partners, including the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. Events like this highlight Oak Ridge on a national stage, and we look forward to hosting another outstanding championship weekend for student-athletes, coaches, and fans from across the SEC.”

Melton Hill Lake is considered one of the premier rowing venues in the country, offering a straight, protected course with consistently fair racing conditions that allow the SEC’s student-athletes to compete. It features more than 30 miles of water and fully buoyed seven-lane racecourses for 1,000 and 2,000-meter races. Managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the lake has hosted numerous national and regional championships.

"ORRA appreciates the trust that the SEC has again placed in us for their 2026 Rowing Championship," said Jim Rogers, chair of the ORRA Regatta Committee. "We'll leverage the enviable water conditions of Melton Hill Lake and our decades of experience hosting elite rowing events to deliver a meaningful championship experience for these athletes."