SEATTLE – The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association announced its 2024 Pocock Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday morning, featuring the Seattle Pacific Falcons in second place.
"We are excited to be ranked second in the nation for preseason, especially after being third at NCAAs last year," head coach
Caitlin McClain said. "Our goal is to live up to this prediction and compete for the title. With the strength of the West region, it will be a challenge, but one that we embrace and look forward to working toward."
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.
The Falcons landed third in last week's Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. 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.
GNAC member Cal Poly Humboldt won the varsity 4+ and varsity 8+ grand finals last May, leading to a national championship. The Lumberjacks are in the top spot of the CRCA Preseason Coaches Poll.
SPU opens its season at the PLU Invitational at American Lake in Lakewood, Wash. on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
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