Results

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's rowing team's varsity eight boat raced in its final competition before selections for the NCAA Division III Championships, turning in a fourth place finish on Saturday at the prestigious Windermere Cup/Open Day Regatta.

"The Windermere Cup and Opening Day are all about the spectacle, the experience, and the community. It was an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to be surrounded by the Pacific Northwest rowing community, all cheering to see the Lutes back on the Montlake Cut," said Head Coach Matt Oclander. 

"The race was fast, just as we expected, and our crew did a great job staying focused and executing their plan. The warmup area had a bit of wind to contend with, but in between the yachts along the log-boom, the water was great.  Hearing the crowd grow louder as the Lutes came down the course was a blast. There were thousands lining the shore, and we had a strong showing from Luteville with teammates, students, friends, family, and alumni all shouting "Attaway!" from the banks together."

PLU's varsity eight boat cruised through the 2,000-meter course connecting Lake Washington to Lake Union in seven minutes, 32.664 seconds, finishing fourth in the Collegiate Open Eight race that featured teams from all three NCAA divisions. Host University of Washington won the race in 6:34.802 followed by crews from Division II powerhouse Western Washington University (6:48.214) and Division I Gonzaga University (7:05.722). 

The Lutes' varsity eight boat— the Spirit of Ollala— was crewed by Riah Heil, Kennadi Jones, Adia Carei, Tate Trahan, Carleigh Templin, Abby Andrews, Maddie Anderson, Makayla Hall, and coxswain Louisa Compton.

"The announcers gave a fantastic shout out to our senior captain Carleigh, who's been a steady leader all season long. It was a special way to close out the season."

Saturday marks the first time since the 2018 season the Lutes have raced at the prestigious regatta, one of the biggest spectator races in the country. 

The Windermere Cup Regatta is the Lutes final race before the NCAA selection show which will be held on Tuesday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Lutheran currently ranks as the top team in the Pacific Region and has won three head-to-head races against the varsity eight from second ranked Lewis & Clark College.