Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's rowing team wrapped up the 2025 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships on Sunday at Lake Natoma with the varsity eight finishing third in the petite finals and the second varsity eight placing sixth in the grand final.

"We had some really clear targets in mind when we came down for this trip to Sacramento. I believe we accomplished them on the water this Sunday with the results. It feels like prelims were stronger executed races individually, but despite that, today we went out there and hit times and margins that we were really looking for," said Head Coach Matt Oclander. 

The Lutes' varsity eight boat was third among the seven-boat field in the petite final, charging down the 2,000-meter course in seven minutes, 19.217 seconds. Crewed by Riah Heil, Kennadi Jones, Adia Carei, Tate Trahan, Maddie Anderson, Abby Andrews, Sophia Pancoast, Makayla Hall, and coxswain Louisa Compton, the Lutes finished over seven seconds ahead of Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark College that was fourth in 7:26.696. Boathouse rival University of Puget Sound won the petite final, clocking a time of 7:10.535. In addition to the Pioneers, PLU finished ahead of crews from club teams from Long Beach State University, San Diego State University, and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

PLU's second varsity eight of Carleigh Templin, Ashley Teague, Suzie Roberts, Kaylyn Sanford, Miram Greer, Mackenzie Poppe, Sareena Dhaliwal, Jilma Diaz-Demangue and coxswain Sarah Hoskins crossed the finish line in 8:29.522 to bag sixth place in the petite final. PLU trailed Lewis & Clark's 2V by just under 18 seconds. University of California-Irvine earned the victory in the grand final, surging across the line in 7:20.229.

"The varsity eight had to make some big steering adjustments off of the start line, and that put them on the back foot after the first rush of adrenaline wore off. The race was tight with Cal Berkeley's Club once again, but they left everything on the water and that's what we're looking for. The second varsity boat had another race where they stuck to their race plan. We just had a little bit more of an edge yesterday than we did today, but we still came off the water proud of what we accomplished."

On Saturday, PLU's varsity eight was fifth in the preliminary heats, finishing in 7:15.8 and enjoying a comfortable 18-second gap on San Diego State. PLU's second varsity eight was sixth in its heat on Saturday in 8:23.069.

"It's exciting to see how far this team has come this year, and really excited to see what we can do in the future. Hopefully that future comes quick and we did enough to put together a good resume for NCAA selection. Next up is the jewel of the Northwest: Windermere Cup, and we're excited to line up in front of the thousands and thousands that will be in attendance.

Special thanks to PLU alumni David Johnson for hosting us for dinner and study hall. The athletes had a great experience and learned a lot about PLU's history at WIRAs. Thank you to the Sac State Aquatic Center and the WIRA Stewards for running a great regatta. Go Lutes!"

The Lutes are back on the water on Saturday, competing at the prestigious Windermere Cup/Opening Day Regatta on the Montlake Cut in Seattle. It's PLU's first time competing at the Windermere Cup since the 2018 season.