LAKEWOOD, Wash.— The Pacific Lutheran University women's rowing team started their 2026 season with some first place finishes before weather would ultimately end things Saturday morning. 

"What a way to start the season!," Head Coach Matt Oclander commented. "Our varsity 8+ finished first in both of its races against DIII opponents and our open 4+ put together a really well fought race against Seattle Pacfic, coming out ahead of Lewis & Clark."

The day started with the 1 Varsity Eight+ placing in first place with a time of seven minutes and 29.7 seconds beating out Milwaukee School of Engineering and Pacific University. The boat crewed by coxswain Louisa Compton and a crew of Riah Heil , Tate Trahan, Adia Carei, Kennadi Jones, Kat Judd, Ashley Teague, Hannah Miyasaki, and Makayla Hall. 

"Riah set a steady cadence from the stroke seat and Louisa kept the rowers sharp on the mic," Oclander recalled.

Flight 2 V8+ lineup was shaked up and delivered a new combination of rowers that fought hard and also finished in first place. Flight 2 V8+ was led by coxswain Sarah Hoskins and crewed by Judd, Hall, Heil, Trahan, Miyasaki, Teague, Carei, and Jones. 

The Open 4+ battled through some adverse windy conditions and finished ahead of Lewis & Clark with a time of 9:15.9. Open 4+ coxswain was Tlalli Ruiz and crewed by Suzie Roberts, Abby Andrews, Sareena Dhaliwal, and Mackenzie Poppe.

"Tlalli did a great job  managing the changes and the steering challenges that came with the wind," Oclander mentioned. "The rowers were constantly encouraging each other and making calls to keep the pressure on."

Lutes will return to action on March 21st at the Meyer-Lamberth Cup.