BRIGANTINE, N.J. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Women's Rowing team enjoyed an east coast weekend trip for spring break, competing on back-to-back days in New Jersey. The Lutes wrapped up the trip on Saturday morning at the Battle at Brigantine hosted by Stockton University.
 
"Today meant a lot to this team. It's been a packed cross-country trip filled with fast racing and good progress on what we are looking to achieve this year and over the next few years. Taking on this trip in the middle of a demanding training block, while dealing with injuries and illnesses, and competing against teams many of us hadn't faced before, was no small ask, but I'm proud how this group stepped up and gave it their all." Said Head Coach Matthew Oclander
 
The Lutes first Varsity Eight+ boat came in third in their heat, ultimately having the fastest time in the B Final, good for a fifth-place finish overall. The first varsity eight boat featuring coxswain Louisa Compton, Riah Heil, Kennadi Jones, Kat Judd, Tate Trahan, Carleigh Templin, Ashley Teague, Adia Carei, and Makayla Hall beat the boat from Franklin and Marshall.
 
"The 1V had two solid races as well. In their heat against Catholic and Jefferson (DII), they stuck to their race plan and made a powerful push in the last 500 meters as the water opened up. Although they were disappointed by their overall margin behind Catholic, who they had been closer to yesterday evening, they quickly regrouped and set their sights on the B Final against Franklin & Marshall. In that final, they got out ahead and maintained their lead the entire way."
 
The second Varsity Eight+ team earned a fourth-place finish, including taking second in the B Final. The boat was led by coxswain Sarah Hoskins, and also Sareena Dhaliwal, Maddie Anderson, Sophia Pancoast, Mackenzie Poppe, Suzie Roberts, Sage Miller, Sylvie Manz, and Abby Andrews.

"The conditions presented big, constant challenges. A strong 15mph tailwind gusting up to 20mph all day, combined with changing tides and fluctuating water conditions, tested the team every time they went out. I have to give major credit to our coxswains, Sarah and Louisa, for keeping our boats on time and in the right places and managing the unpredictable circumstances. In the 2V's first race, a four-boat seeding race, Sarah did an excellent job keeping the crew focused and ready, even as other teams struggled aligning. They also had to avoid an errant Novice crew that wandered into the racecourse with 400 meters to go. Despite this, the 2V hit their target rates and showed a noticeable shift in their performance mid-race. In their final against Washington College, conditions worsened further, leading to some crabs and missed strokes, but the crew fought through it."

"We remembered how the challenging conditions at the PLU Invite made us feel but the team learned from that experience and battled through today's elements with grit. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone for pushing their limits. Now, we turn our focus to the Pio Invite."

"A huge thank you to Stockton University and their staff for being such excellent hosts, and for going above and beyond. Also, a special thanks to the Brigantine Rowing Club, Kay Papandrew, and Gary Baca for their generosity with their equipment and space."
 
The Lutes return to the west coast following spring break, as they will prepare to head south to Vancouver, Wash. for the Pio-Pilot Invitational next Saturday morning.
 
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