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103 E xpectations are rising within the University of Iowa rowing program and the national rowing scene is taking notice. With the stakes high, the Hawkeyes aren't shying away from top crews, they're opening with them. Iowa is set to meet 15th ranked Louisville and 12th ranked Indiana in the Big Ten/ACC Double Dual in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 3. e Fighting Irish finished runner-up to Virginia at the 2015 ACC Championships and went on to finish 16th at the NCAA Championships, while the Hoosiers placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships and earned 11th place at the NCAA Championships. In week two, the Hawkeyes host a double dual of their own against 13th ranked Wisconsin and Minnesota on April 9 at Lake Macbride in Solon, Iowa. Iowa, ranked 19th in the CRCA/USRowing Coaches Poll, and the Gophers, are each receiving votes in its latest release. "We definitely open with a bang," UI head coach Andrew Carter said. "Having that caliber of competition right out of the gate gives us a ton of information early in the season. It also provides better information to other groups like our supporters, our recruits, and people voting in the polls. "We don't want to look at the polls on a day-to- day basis because it gets distracting, but at the end of the day for those teams that are not gaining an automatic qualifier through the conference championship, a lot will come back to what the committee thinks of your competitive schedule and how you faired." Carter and the Hawkeyes look forward to seeing where each crew matches up with top national programs. Each regatta gives Iowa the opportunity to evaluate its own racing and provides a glimpse of what to expect from other crews in the championship season. "It helps in planning and moving forward," Carter said. "Not only do we get to see what kind of times they can lay down, but the nature of the racing allows coaches to be close to what's going on over the course of 2,000 meters. We can see some of the strengths and weaknesses, what we do that is effective, where we need to plug holes, and where the opponents are strong so we know how to counteract that next time we meet." e Hawkeyes are also excited to spend a weekend competing at home, something that hasn't happened in the regular season since 2014. "Our event management and facilities folks do an unbelievable job setting it up," Carter said. "Not having to be on the road every week is a big deal. A lot of times in rowing, being at home can be more work because the coaches and athletes get involved in setup. "At Iowa, they try to keep the coaches focused on what they're supposed to be doing. Not having to travel — combined with knowing we don't have to get our hands dirty — is a big deal for us." APRIL SCHEDULE April 3 vs. Louisville, Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.) April 9 vs. Wisconsin, Minnesota (Solon, Iowa — Lake Macbride) April 16-17 at Lake Natoma Invitational (Gold River, Calif.) April 23 vs. Kansas, Oklahoma (Devil's Lake, Wis.)