TACOMA, Wash. – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team opened its 2025 season at the PLU Invitational on Saturday morning, with the Falcons winning three of the four races they competed in during the first flight event.
"Overall, today was a great start to the racing season," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "Our team did an incredible job of preparing for and executing their races during a busy academic time with finals next week. We are grateful to PLU. Especially former SPU coach, now PLU head coach, Matt Oclander, for organizing a top-notch regatta featuring crews from DI, DII, DIII, and club programs."
FLIGHT 1
The Varsity 8+ crew was the first Falcon boat on the water on Saturday. The Falcons turned in a time of 7:13.3. They beat Oregon State by 1.2 seconds, while Western Washington finished third 6.8 seconds behind the Falcons.
The SPU Open 4+ had a strong performance. Their heat featured Puget Sound and Oregon. The Falcons blasted down the 2,000-meter course in 8:30.5. They covered the Loggers by 29.3 seconds, while Oregon took third 46.6 seconds behind the Falcons.
The Varsity 4+ took on Western Washington and Oregon State in their heat. The Falcons turned in a time of 8:30.2, trailing both the Vikings and Beavers. In the final race of the first flight, the Falcons Novice 4+ boat clocked a nine-minute race. Oregon came in second 7.4 seconds behind the Falcons.
"We were fortunate that the weather cooperated enough to get in both flights, allowing boats to make small adjustments in between," McClain said. "The first race of the season always brings a lot of excitement and adrenaline, which can make it challenging to stick to race plans, especially the rating (cadence). Every boat experienced a bit of that and debriefed and recommitted."
FLIGHT 2
The late-morning session featured another good race from the SPU V8+. They rowed a 7:14.3, beating the Vikings by 7.2 seconds. The V4+ boat squared off against the Vikings in the second flight. This time, SPU rowed an 8:33.0, trailing the Vikings 8:02.1.
The Falcons sent two boats into the water for the final race of the day. The Open 4+ and the Novice 4+ raced against Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran. The Falcons took the top two spots in the race, posting times of 7:48.9 and 8:10.1 respectively.
"The Varsity 8+ and Open 4+ had the most dominant results of the squad, winning both their races by substantial margins," McClain said. "The Varsity 4+ faced a strong WWU boat but did a good job of staying internal and racing their race. Our Novice 4+ was comprised of all walk-on rowers who started rowing in October. They won their first race and then placed second to their teammates in the Open 4+ category."
LINEUPS
VARSITY 8+
c: Aleksia Haugen, 8: Amelia Pape, 7: Solanes Capps-Mace, 6: Audrey Rekedal, 5: Bella Lisenby, 4: Megan Rouse, 3: Grace Combs, 2: Gem Gatmaytan, 1: Addie Clark
VARSITY 4+
c: Lexi Roybal, 4: Emmerson Spencer, 3: Emma Jones, 2: Racquel Wesley, 1: Brittan Dalberg
OPEN 4+
c: Sasha Kolobovnikov, 4: Elizabeth Chapman, 3: Emma Ely, 2: Norah Bauman, 1: Mia Vittori
NOVICE 4+
c: Mary Goodhew, 4: Rachael Termure, 3: Jasmine Crisan, 2: Erica Fisher, 1: Karisma Magana
FLIGHT 2 CHANGES
OPEN 4+
c: Mary Goodhew 4: Elizabeth Chapman, 3: Emma Ely, 2: Norah Bauman, 1: Mia Vittori
NOVICE 4+
c: Sasha Kolobovnikov, 4: Rachael Termure, 3: Jasmine Crisan, 2: Erica Fisher, 1: Karisma Magana
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