SAN MATEO, Calif. – Four players were selected Preseason All-WCC and Gonzaga was selected to finish first in the West Coast Conference in the women's rowing preseason poll, released by league officials Tuesday morning. The poll is voted on by the league's seven coaches.

"While we were so grateful to have been able to have raced in 2021, we are really excited to tackle 2022 as a bit more of a normal year," head coach Andrew Derrick said. "The team has done an amazing job of getting on board with what we have asked them to do.  The standards and competition continue to elevate, and I'm looking forward to watching what these great individuals can accomplish together as a team" 

Since 2012, the Bulldogs have been selected first or second in every single WCC preseason poll. The Zags amassed 36 points to take first while San Diego tallied 31 points. Gonzaga tallied six first-place votes with the Toreros claiming one. The next three teams in the poll were separated by only three points with Creighton coming in third with 23 points and LMU and Portland tying for fourth with 20 points each.
 
Last season, Gonzaga claimed its 19th overall WCC Rowing Championship and sixth consecutive conference title.

Four Zags were also named to the Preseason All-WCC Rowing team. Graduate student Megan Chalfant, a transfer from Seattle Pacific University, earned her first preseason WCC nod. Katie Sierhuis was the lone freshman for the Zags to earn preseason honors as well.

Sophomore Hannah Cooney, the reigning WCC Newcomer of the Year, earned her first WCC preseason honor as she was part of the V8 that won the 2021 WCC Championships in 2021. Junior Grace Dojan earned her second-straight preseason WCC nod as she was part of the V8 boat that won the 2021 WCC Championships and placed 19th at the NCAA Championships.

2022 WCC Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Gonzaga (6)   36
2. San Diego (1) 31
3. Creighton        23
4. LMU                 20
    Portland          20
6. Saint Mary's   10
7. Santa Clara     7
 
2022 All-WCC Preseason Rowing Team
Isla Blake, San Diego
Caitlin Burns, San Diego
Megan Chalfant, Gonzaga
Lauren Compeau, LMU
Hannah Cooney, Gonzaga
Grace Dojan, Gonzaga
Emily Ferbet, Saint Mary's
Alyssa Gorsch, Santa Clara
Katrina Heffernan, Saint Mary's
Averi Hutton, San Diego
Sophia Jadallah, LMU
Destiny Jordan, Creighton
Maddie Olson, Portland
Katie Sierhuis, Gonzaga
Gretchen Strobbe, Creighton
Catherine Watson, Portland
Grace Wyatt, Santa Clara