SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team competed in front of family and friends at Saturday's Windermere Cup in Seattle with two 8+ shells racing against top teams from around the region.
The Windermere Cup is known as the event that is part of the Seattle Yacht Club's Opening Day of Boating Season celebration. The cloud-covered day featured top teams from around the region. It was another chance for the Falcons to row in front of family, friends, and classmates.
"Even though Windermere Cup is close to home, the uniqueness and logistics of it make it feel more like a travel regatta," Falcons coach
Caitlin McClain said. "On Friday morning, we rowed the boats over to UW's Conibear Shellhouse so we could launch from their docks on race day. Along the way, we practiced on the transformed Montlake Cut race course lined with yachts so we were more comfortable with the environment. Of course, nothing can really prepare first-timers for the adrenaline and noise during the race, but our elders and UW alumna, Coach Kenzie, definitely shared their insights."
The Falcons sent an open 8+ and 3rd varsity 8+ to the starting line on Saturday. The open 8+ started the day racing against Western Washington, Gonzaga, and the University of Washington. SPU turned in a time of 7:12.66 and earned fourth. The Vikings took the race with a time of 7:03.72.
"Overall, the races went well. While we expected Western to be fast in the Open 8+, we didn't know how fast Gonzaga and UW's boats would be," McClain said. "The V8+'s directive was to execute a solid race and enjoy the experience, especially for our seniors' last Windermere."
The 3V8+ raced shortly after, taking on two UW shells and Seattle U. The 206-exclusive heat was taken by the host Huskies. The Falcons rowed to the tune of a 7:30.22 that put them in third.
"Our 3V8+ entry included a handful of first-timers, so they really soaked up the energy of the day," McClain said. "Not surprisingly, the race cadence ended up being a little higher than planned, but they matched it with power and had a great race finishing ahead of Seattle U."
The Falcons turn their attention toward the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships in California at Lake Natoma on Saturday, May 18.
LINEUPS
Open 8+ 3rd Varsity 8+
c:
Lucy Sandahl c:
Aleksia Haugen
8:
Natalie Korolenko 8:
Emmerson Spencer
7:
Megan Popielak 7:
Grace Combs
6:
Ixchel Watson 6:
Jadyn Hawley
5:
Audrey Rekedal 5:
Bella Lisenby
4:
Anna Boatman 4:
Cookie Yitbarek
3:
Megan Rouse 3:
Emma Ely
2:
Hannah Miller 2:
Amelia Pape
1:
Gem Gatmaytan 1:
Brittan Dalberg
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