Lake Natoma Day One Results

GOLD RIVER, Calif. - The (RV) Gonzaga Bulldogs completed a long day at the Lake Natoma Invitational on Saturday, entering eight total races and holding true to their national ranking throughout.

The day was highlighted by an afternoon event that saw the GU varsity eight boat finish only five seconds back of No. 9 Brown.

The morning session, with variable cross-headwind at 9-10 mph, was moved up an hour to avoid an expected patch of bad weather, and GU was joined in the varsity four, second varsity eight, and varsity eight races by No. 6 Stanford and Clemson. The Bulldogs were able to lock down three second place finishes ahead of Clemson. The varsity four opened the day with a time of 7:17.79, nine seconds back of the Cardinal and six seconds ahead of the Tigers. The second varsity eight broke the water three events later 10 seconds behind Stanford at 6:39.11, five seconds faster than Clemson. The varsity eight finished at 6:29.30, their fastest mark of the spring and 10 seconds behind Stanford, and 11 seconds ahead of Clemson. The final heat of the morning session featured the second varsity four of GU, joined by two boats from No. 2 Cal and a crew from No. 6 Stanford. The Zags finished fourth at 7:33.68, eight seconds behind the Cardinal.

After an afternoon break, the varsity fours were back in the water, battling variable cross-headwind at 4-5 mph, with GU finishing 10 seconds behind No. 9 Brown at 7:18.80, but 24 seconds faster than Boston U. In the second varsity eight event Gonzaga came in at 6:37.37, 10 seconds back of Brown and 16 seconds ahead of Boston U. In the varsity eight race GU beat their time from earlier in the day by four seconds at 6:25.62, just five seconds behind Brown and 17 seconds ahead of Boston U. To complete the day, Gonzaga took home the Petite Final crown among the second varsity four boats, beating Stanford, Sac State, and Boston U with a time of 7:28.55, eight seconds ahead of second-place Stanford.

"We thought there was some decent improvements made today," Gonzaga head coach Glenn Putyrae said. "Across the board we were disappointed with the consistency of our crews in the morning racing. We saw all the boats improve in the afternoon. We are grateful to be included in an event that produces these racing opportunities. Tomorrow morning will be challenging and we look forward for the opportunity to improve."

The Bulldogs have three more races scheduled tomorrow with the varsity four starting at 8:30 am. GU will be joined on the line by (RV) Central Florida and Notre Dame in all three races.

SUNDAY
Varsity 4 - 8:30 am
2nd Varsity 8 - 9:00 am
Varsity 8 - 9:35 am

Gonzaga Lineups (coxswain to bow)

Varsity 8
Alexa Jadallah
Lindey English
Olivia Marsh
Isabelle Belzil
Lauren English
Meghan McCallum
Micailah Donner
Caroline Maguire
Olivia Lada

Second Varsity 8
Marie Hayman
Isabella Spies
Georgia Davey
Rachael Arand
Madison Spina
Hannah Churchill
Clare Manthey
Hannah Brown
Amelie Tristant

Varsity 4
Ariel Evans
Charlotte Lepp
Megan Seifert
Kayla Buchmeier
Casey Harder