PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced its Women's Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday, featuring the Seattle Pacific University Falcons slotted for a third-place finish in the conference.
The GNAC proved to be one of the best rowing conferences in the nation in 2023. It was represented to the fullest, with all four teams making NCAA Nationals. Cal Poly Humboldt won the varsity 4+ and varsity 8+ grand finals last May, leading to a national championship.
The Lumberjacks enter 2024 on top of the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll with 16 points. Central Oklahoma is in second with 12 points. The Falcons collected eight points. Western Washington rounds out the poll with four points.
"Once again, the GNAC looks like it will be a strong region with the number of returning athletes on all the teams," head coach
Caitlin McClain said. "We are fortunate to have the opportunity to not only race each other multiple times but also that we will have cross-regional racing so we can represent the region for the NCAA at-large bids."
On March 23, the Falcons host a GNAC Championships preview of sorts. The Falcon Regatta will put SPU against the Lumberjacks and Bronchos. The race takes place on the L.W. Ship Canal.
The Falcons return to the water after a successful 2023 season. SPU finished the year with an incredible third-place finish at NCAA Nationals. They placed third in the V8+ with a time of 7:21.967 and fourth in the V4+ with an 8:23.18.
SPU earned GNAC Crew of the Week honors three times, was consistently in regional and national polls, and collected 18 awards (academic and athletic).
Natalie Korolenko,
Hannah Miller,
Megan Popielak, and
Audrey Rekedal return to the squad and serve as the team's speed leaders. The group has made the trip to nationals in 2022 and 2023 and understands what it takes to earn a spot in the field in 2024.
SPU opens its season on Saturday, March 9, at the American Lake Sprints hosted by Pacific Lutheran University.
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