CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Th Gonzaga women's rowing team returned to the water in the first official regatta of the 2021 season and its first competition in a year with the CVEATC Invitational Sunday morning in Chula Vista, Calif. Both Loyola Marymount and San Diego joined Gonzaga for Sunday's regatta, and the Zags had strong performances from both their varsity 8 and varsity 4 boats.
 
"It was a great couple of days of training and a great racing opportunity to see where we're at early in the season," Head Coach Andrew Derrick said. "We definitely have some work to do, but we're encouraged and excited about what the future holds."
 
The varsity 8 flight started promptly at 8 a.m., and GU's V8 boat finished the course in 7:00.4, just 2.8 seconds behind San Diego at 6:57.6. In the second flight, the Zags' 2V8 also finished just behind USD's boat, finishing in 7:14.3, 16.6 seconds short of the Toreros at 6:57.7.
 
The Zags saw another strong performance from their V4 boat, finishing 2.1 seconds shy of USD's wining time of 7:55.3, as GU finished in 7:57.4, 14 seconds ahead of Loyola Marymount. In the final flight, USD's 2V4 'A' won the flight with a time of 8:12.2, while GU's 2V4 'A' finished 9.8 seconds behind I 8:22.0. GU's 2V4 'B' boat placed third in 8:26.5, while USD's 2V4 'B' finished fourth in 8:02.5.
 
Gonzaga returns the water Saturday, March 27 in Seattle, Wash., against Washington. The start time is to be determined, while the race will take place on Lake Washington. Check GoZags.com for up-to-date race day information.