SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team hosted Western Washington in 2023's edition of the Falcon Regatta. The Falcons and the Vikings went stroke for stroke throughout two separate flights of action on Saturday, with SPU sweeping every race on the L.W. Ship Canal. 
 
The Falcons and Vikings got underway at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Conditions were brisk, with clouds overhead, as the rain stayed away for the entirety of the competition. Fans lined the banks of the L.W. Ship Canal, creating a tremendous atmosphere for SPU and WWU to go at one another. 

"The atmosphere of today's regatta was very positive, supportive, and energetic," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "We had a team dinner with family, friends, and alumni the night before, which helped set the tone, and then having so many fans on shore this morning brought out our bests. There's something about having an audience, especially a home crowd, that heightens performance."
 
The SPU Varsity 8+ boat stole the show on Saturday. They closed out the first flight with a tight race against WWU. It came down to a couple of boat lengths, but the Falcons edged past the Vikings with a time of 7:15.9. The V8+ boats opened the second flight of racing. SPU improved on their time with a 7:13.4 to best WWU.  
 
The Varsity 4+ boats raced in the middle of each flight. Like the first V8+ race, it took the entirety of the 2000-meter course to decide a winner. The Falcons steady pace led them to victory, clocking in at 8:07.4. The mark would be the best of the two flights for SPU. 
 
Open 4+ book ended the Falcon Regatta on Saturday morning. SPU took both flights convincingly. The times were very similar as well. The Falcons started the day with an 8:15.5 and would post an 8:14.2 in the second session. 

"We are pleased to have won all of the matchups, but even more so to have each boat execute their race plans and improve on areas they were working on," McClain said. "Since our coaching staff helped run the regatta, we saw more of the racing than usual. We were impressed with the composure, and patience the team displayed when they were side by side with Western."
 
After the Falcon Regatta, alumni of the SPU women's rowing program were welcomed back for a race. 

"Having our alumni back was so fun and uplifting," McClain added. "Seeing the current student-athletes reunite with their former teammates is one of the best parts of coaching, especially in rowing where the bonds are incredibly strong."
 
LINEUPS
Open 4+ 
c: Lexi Roybal 4: Elise Cornwell 3: Emma Ely 2: Bella Lisenby 1: Emma Jones 
 
Varsity 4+
c: Lucy Sandahl 4: Megan Rouse 3: Sophie Sandahl 2: Gem Gatmaytan 1: Ixchel Watson
 
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: Kristin Grassell 
 
3V8+
c: Aleksia Haugen 8: Mary Goodhew 7: Addie Clark 6: Brittan Dalberg 5: Mia Ballard 4: Cookie Yitbarek 3: Kayla Goodrow 2: Racquel Wesley 1: Amelia Pape 
 
N8+
c: Brenna Kiyota 8: Cookie Yitbarek 7: Emma Jones 6: Bella Lisenby 5: Mia Ballard 4: Elise Cornwell 3: Kayla Goodrow 2: Racquel Wesley 1: Amelia Pape
 
UP NEXT
The Falcons take a week away from competition before returning to action at the Knecht Cup. The race takes place April 15-16 in Cherry Hill, NJ on Cooper River.