Regatta Info

SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Gonzaga women's rowing team will take the lid off its 2015-16 campaign at the Head of the Pend Oreille on Sept. 26, beginning at 10 a.m.

The Zags will take on Washington State, who finished eighth in the nation at last year's NCAA Championships. GU's opening session will begin at 10:25 a.m., followed by a short break and then the second session at 11:55 a.m.

Gonzaga will hit the course with four pairs and three fours on the day as the team has focused on adding small-boat training to its fall season. Spectators can get the best view of the race and the finish at Bonner Park West near the Pend Oreille Yacht Club in Priest River, Idaho. More information on the regatta and viewing opportunities can be found at www.hopregatta.org.

"It's a great opportunity to gauge the team's progress of training on the water," head coach Glenn Putyrae said. "We'll be able to see the improvements we've made to this point. We are just focused on doing the best we can do with the goal of seeing that consistent improvement."

Coming off an NCAA berth and program-record national ranking, Putyrae's squad is poised to continue its ascent on a national level. The NCAA berth was the team's second in the last three seasons, while GU capped the year ranked 17th.

Returning for Gonzaga is its core of WCC award winners and all-conference performers. The league's Rower of the Year Kara Soucek, Coxswain of the Year Karly Dougherty and Newcomer of the Year Isabelle Belzil all are back for WCC Coach of the Year Glenn Putyrae's team. In addition, All-WCC performers Brooklyn Beeler, Maddie Turbes and Devyn Bell round out the depth of returning experience.

Gonzaga Lineups
10:25 race time:
GU "A"
Kara Soucek, Lindey English

GU "B"
Olivia Marsh, Madeleine Verspieren

GU "C"
Lauren English, Meghan McCallum

GU "D"
Maddie Turbes, Ingrid Stansberry

11:55am race time:
GU "A"
Karly Dougherty, Isabelle Belzil, Brooklyn Beeler, Hannah Brown, Shaylee Kieffer

GU "B"
Hailey Rousseau, Kara Soucek, Lindey English, Olivia Marsh, Madeleine Verspieren

GU "C"
Megan Dennison, Maddie Turbes, Ingrid Stansberry, Lauren English, Meghan McCallum