TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran women's rowing team kicked off its season Sunday, finishing third at the American Lake Fall Classic.

The Lutes were competing against NCAA Division I and II teams as well as some D-III teams.

"We wanted to simply focus on what we could produce, allowing the team to focus on building their stroke and their confidence rather than worrying about the other boats," PLU coach Lizzie Mitchell said. "So much of this sport has to come from within and if you get distracted by your uncontrollables you have already lost."

Division I Portland and Division II Seattle Pacific competed in the regatta as well, which featured a non-traditional distance of 5,000 kilometers and had a staggered start so the teams were racing against the clock rather than each other.

The Lutes boat included the following lineup: Laney Abbott (bow), Julia Gonzalez-Wolf (2^nd seat), Beth Hawes (3^rd seat), Hannah Miyasaki (4^th seat), Adrianna Martinez (5^th seat), Allison Sheflo (6^th seat), Julez Johnson (7^th seat), Carleigh Templin (stroke seat), and Jessie Dougherty (coxswain).

"I am extremely proud of the team and today's performance," Mitchell said. "We raced up today, competing against DI and DII schools. We should not be beating them, but we are going to train to try to scare them a bit come spring."

The Lutes return to action March 4 at the PLU Invitational.