April 7, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina rowing team will join with Duke to host the Lake Wheeler Invitational Saturday in Raleigh. The eight-team event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until approximately 3 p.m. at Lake Wheeler Park. There is no charge for admission.

Joining Duke and UNC in the field are Bucknell, Eastern Michigan, George Washington, Navy, SMU and Tulsa. The teams will race in varsity eights, second varsity eights, varsity fours, second varsity fours, novice eights, second novice eights and novice fours. Heats will run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., with a break until finals begin at 1 p.m.

Directions: From Interstate 40 in Raleigh, take exit 297, Lake Wheeler Road, and proceed south (away from Raleigh). Stay on Lake Wheeler Rd., crossing Tryon Rd. and passing through a light at Simpkins Rd, which connects to Lake Wheeler Rd. on your left. The entrance to Lake Wheeler Park is on the right, approximately 4.5 miles from I-40. Make a right into the front entrance of the park and stay on the long winding road to the waterfront.

Lake Wheeler Park can only be accessed via Lake Wheeler Rd. Although there is a small bridge that passes over Lake Wheeler by Penny Rd., fishing and the launching of boats is not allowed at that location.