SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team returned to competition at the Husky Open on Saturday morning, putting together strong performances throughout the day. 

The Falcons took part in five of the 28 events in Saturday's Regatta. The Husky Open featured men's college races as well as juniors and masters events. SPU competed against DI schools like the University of Portland, Seattle U, and hosted Washington. Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams Cal Poly Humboldt and Western Washington were in attendance as well. 

"We are proud of how the team performed today," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "All boats were composed in the higher pressure environment and put together solid back-to-back races after a hard week of spring break training. It was great to have both Western and Humboldt out there in addition to our local DI competitors."

The Varsity 8+ boat opened the day at 8 a.m. They covered the 2,000-meter course in 7:12.66, The time earned a third-place finish being the Pilots and Mustangs. The second V8+ boat raced shortly after, posting a time of 7:38.64. 

The V4+ boat had a heated race against Cal Poly. Over the first 500 meters, the two boats were separated by four-thousandths of a second. The Lumberjacks pulled away over the next 500 meters and went on to take the race. The Falcons took second with a time of 8:18.55. 

Later in the day, the second flight of V8+ had their turn to compete. A late charge from Cal Poly gave them the race win, while the Falcons turned a time of 7:29.11 for a second-place finish. The second flight of V4+ raced as well. They completed the course in 8:31.17 to finish second behind Cal Poly.

SPU is back on the water in one week as they host the Falcon Regatta on the L.W. Ship Canal in Seattle. 

LINEUPS
Varsity 8+ 
 C: Moxie McCandless
8: Jacinta Grandel
7: Natalie Korolenko
6: Audrey Rekedal
5: Kalais Samuelson
4: Macie Leach
3: Anna Boatman
2: Megan Popielak
1: Hannah Miller

Varsity 4+
C: Lucy Sandahl
4: Megan Rouse
3: Kristin Grassell
2: Gem Gatmaytan
1: Ixchel Watson

JV8+ 
C: Lexi Roybal
8: Amelia Pape
7: Sophie Sandahl
6: Bella Lisenby
5: Emma Ely
4: Elise Cornwell
3: Emma Jones
2: Mary Goodhew
1: Addie Clark

SECOND FLIGHT
Varsity 8+ 
C: Moxie McCandless
8: Jacinta Grandel
7: Natalie Korolenko
6: Macie Leach
5: Kalais Samuelson
4: Audrey Rekedal
3: Anna Boatman
2: Megan Popielak
1: Hannah Miller

Varsity 4+
C: Lucy Sandahl
4: Megan Rouse
3: Kristin Grassell
2: Gem Gatmaytan
1: Ixchel Watson

3V8+
C: Aleksia Haugen
8: Brittan Dalberg
7: Mia Ballard
6: Bella Lisenby
5: Emma Jones
4: Cookie Yitbarek
3: Kayla Goodrow
2: Racquel Wesley
1: Brenna Kiyota