Oct. 25, 2008
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University's women's rowing team lost the Head of the Spokane to Washington State University Saturday, but head coach Melissa Flint was nonetheless pleased with what she saw from her team.
For the record, WSU `s women's varsity 8+ finished the 5,000-meter Upriver Dam course in 17:31 with Gonzaga crossing in 18:13. The early races were rowed in a moderate headwind which died down as the morning progressed. The Head of the Spokane is run in flights with placing determined by time in each flight, unlike the spring regattas which are true head-to-head racing.
But Flint said her team gained what she was after in the first outing of the fall season.
"The fall is a chance to gain experience. They all learned more about how to race. It was a good start," Flint said.
The women's varsity 8+ was comprised of coxswain Rachel Cregg, Katie Atkins, Alissa Stempson, Sam Cekovic, Whitney Engle, Sami Koppinger, Sophie Bluhm, Alexis Curtright and Lana Bowie.
"Today was a good starting point for lineups, but obviously nothing is set," Flint said. "We have two more races where they have another chance," Flint said.
The first of those races will be Friday at the Head of the Snake on WSU's home course, then the fall season concludes Nov. 9 at the Head of the Lake at the Montlake Cut in Seattle.
"We're pointing for that third race," Flint said. "We hope to have our boats set by then heading into winter training."
Flint also said she currently has four rowers out with injury, at least one of which projects to be in the varsity boat.
"We hope to get some of them back this week," Flint said of those on the injured list.
Alumni Weekend and Fall Family Weekend will conclude with Class Day Races at the Gonzaga Boathouse at Upriver Dam on the Spokane River Sunday at 10 a.m.
Head of the Spokane Results
Upriver Dam - 5,000 meters
Gonzaga vs. Washington State
Flight 1
Women's Varsity 8+ - WSU 17:31, GU 18:13, WSU2 18:15, GU2 18:45.
Women's Novice 8+ - GU 19:55, WSU 21:45.
Other Boats - GU Men's Alumni 8+ 9:20.57.
Flight 2 Men's Varsity 8+ - GU 15:58, WSU 17:12.
Men's Novice 8+ - GU "A" 17:31, GU "B" 17:34, WSU "A" 17:41, WSU "B" 20:38.
Flight 3
Palouse Mix 8+ 10:19.33, Coeur d'Alene Women's 8+ 10:20.02, Adkins Single 10:21.14, Coeur d'Alene Mix Pair 10:22.01, Drake Single 10:22.41.
Flight 4
Women's Varsity 8+ - WSU3 19:03, GU3 19:06.
Women's Novice 8+ - WSU2 21:26, GU2 21:53
Other Boats - GU Women's Alumni 8+ 18:47.
Flight 5 Men's Varsity 8+ - GU2 16:21, WSU2 17:20.
Men's Varsity 4 - GU "C" 18:06, WSU "B" 18:37, GU "A" 18:41, GU "B" 18:46, WSU "A" 18:53.
Men's Novice 8+ - GU "C" 16:39, WSU "C" 18:40.
Other Boats - Coeur d'Alene Pair 21:00, Coeur d'Alene Women's Novice 8+ 22:48, Coeur d'Alene Men's 4+ 23:27.
