VANCOUVER, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Women's Rowing team took their momentum from a strong spring season into the Northwest Conference Championships held on Vancouver Lake. The Lutes narrowly finished in second in the first varsity eight race, but the varsity four took home the title by a wide 32.96-second margin.
 
"I am really pumped for the team." Said Head Coach Matt Oclander following the regatta.
 
The first varsity eight boat, led by coxswain Louisa Compton, featured Riah Heil, Kennadi Jones, Adia Carei, Tate Trahan, Maddie Anderson, Abby Andrews, Sophia Pancoast, and Makayla Hall. These Lutes ran a time of 7:27.25, and were neck-and-neck with the Loggers of Puget Sound throughout, but the Loggers pulled away and earned a narrow 6.75-second margin win over the Lutes who finished second.
 
The second varsity eight boat earned second place as well, with Sylvie Manz leading the way at coxswain, followed by Carleigh Templin, Ashley Teague, Suzie Roberts, Kaylyn Sanford, Miram Greer, Mackenzie Poppe, Sareena Dhaliwal, and Jilma Diaz-Demangue. The 2V8+ crossed the finish line at 8:26.26, finishing just behind the boat from Lewis & Clark.
 
"It has been a really long year, filled with a lot of hard work and just a really crazy week. I feel like we capitalized and had some really solid racing. It was good to catch up a little bit to Puget Sound; congrats to them for winning the varsity-eight trophy. Our second varsity-eight, will look to continue gaining ground on Lewis & Clark at WIRA's."
 
In the first varsity four race, Compton returned as coxswain, leading Heil, Jones, Carei, and Hall to a massive 32.96-second victory over the next-fastest boat from Lewis & Clark. The Lutes cruised to a fast win and earn the top spot in the 1V4+. The second varsity four boat featuring Sarah Hoskins, and Pancoast, Sage Miller, Roberts, and Sanford, raced a time of 10:14.14 to earn second place in the second varsity four race behind Lewis & Clark.
 
"I'm really proud of staking our claim and maintaining our margins in our placements in order to stay top-ranked in the region. If you asked me at the beginning of the year about how it feels to be second place, I'd say it feels good, but the only thing that stings is that it was really close. And that's a testament to how much these athletes want it, and how far we've come."
 
In the final race of the day, the novice four boat, led by Sylvie Manz, and Maddie Anderson, Tate Trahan, Sareena Dhaliwal, and Abby Andrews finished in third in the race, ahead of the boat from Lewis & Clark.
 
"We're looking forward to getting back on the road here in a few days, it's going to be a short week, getting ready for our race in Sacramento. Looking forward to see what happens next, it feels like it's a but more in our control what happens in the postseason; it's exciting but we've got some work in front of us."

Sophomore Riah Heil and freshman Kennadi Jones were named Women's Rowing All-Northwest Conference following the conclusion of the regatta. An award voted upon by all coaches in the conference.
 
"I'm just really proud of the team, Riah and Kennadi too for being named All-Conference, they've put in a lot of hard work this year; especially Kennadi, it being her first year. Our varsity four had an amazing race, and that was a good, fun, open water win. Big shoutouts to our seniors for showing so much leadership this year, and I'm excited to have one more race with all of them. Go Lutes!"
 
The Lutes look to take the momentum to the bay area next weekend, as they will compete in the highly touted Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships on Saturday and Sunday in Sacramento, Calif.
 
To follow Lutes coverage all season long, please follow us on social media; PLU Athletics on Facebook, @GoLutes on X.com and Instagram.