SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga women's rowing launched its fall season Saturday at the annual Head of the Spokane, squaring off against Washington State in a full slate of racing on the Spokane River. The Bulldogs entered multiple boats across every event, showing strong early-season form, competitive splits, and program-wide depth from varsity to novice crews.

The Zags' Varsity Eight A led the charge in the morning session, finishing just seven seconds behind Washington State's top crew. Gonzaga crossed the line in 16:53 after posting a powerful 10:39 split through the 3,250-meter mark. WSU's A boat finished in 16:46 with a 10:30 split, setting the pace for the field.

Gonzaga's V8+ B followed with a consistent effort, recording a 10:52 split en route to a 17:20 final time, good for fourth overall. The C and D entries showed the team's impressive depth, finishing fifth (17:50) and sixth (17:52), both within seconds of one another. The Bulldogs' first freshman/novice eight rounded out the race with a strong debut, recording an 11:42 split and 18:43 overall time.

In the Varsity Four event, Gonzaga's V4+ B crew delivered one of the tightest finishes of the day, crossing in 19:17 after a 12:07 split, narrowly behind Washington State's B four (19:24). The GU V4+ A battled through the course with a steady rhythm and finished in 20:01, rounding out a highly competitive field where just 44 seconds separated the top four crews.

Gonzaga carried its momentum into the D/E Varsity Eight session, where the Zags swept the top and third positions. The GU W V8+ 1 D/E won the race with a final time of 18:36 and a 11:41 split, edging out Washington State's C crew (18:40). The GU W V8+ 2 D/E followed closely at 18:44, giving Gonzaga two of the top three finishes in the event.

The regatta concluded with a large field in the Women's 2– (pair) event, where Gonzaga entered five boats. The tandem of Rivat and Barstow led the way for the Zags, finishing in 20:20 and 20:34, respectively, after maintaining consistent mid-race splits around 12 and a half minutes. Three more GU pairs — Barlag (21:14), Brackney (21:44), and Spillane (21:56) — rounded out the competition as the Bulldogs gained valuable early-season racing experience.

The Zags will now turn their attention to winter preparation as they look to open their spring 2026 season.

Final Times – Head of the Spokane

Women's 8+

1. Washington State V8+ A – 16:46 (Split 10:30)

2. Gonzaga V8+ A – 16:53 (Split 10:39)

3. Washington State V8+ B – 17:08 (Split 10:43)

4. Gonzaga V8+ B – 17:20 (Split 10:52)

5. Gonzaga V8+ C – 17:50 (Split 11:10)

6. Gonzaga V8+ D – 17:52 (Split 11:10)

7. Washington State V8+ C – 18:23 (Split 11:28)

8. Gonzaga 1F/N8+ – 18:43 (Split 11:42)

Women's 4+

1. Washington State V4+ B – 19:24 (Split 12:10)

2. Gonzaga V4+ B – 19:17 (Split 12:07)

3. Washington State V4+ A – 19:25 (Split 12:24)

4. Gonzaga V4+ A – 20:01 (Split 12:15)

Women's D/E 8+

1. Gonzaga W V8+ 1 D/E – 18:36 (Split 11:41)

2. Washington State W V8+ C – 18:40 (Split 11:46)

3. Gonzaga W V8+ 2 D/E – 18:44 (Split 11:41)

Women's 2– (Pairs)

1. Washington State W 2– A (Snow) – 19:52 (Split 12:30)

2. Washington State W 2– C (Eden) – 20:09 (Split 12:38)

3. Washington State W 2– B (Talbot) – 20:14 (Split 12:42)

4. Gonzaga W 2– B (Rivat) – 20:20 (Split 12:43)

5. Washington State W 2– D (Delavoye) – 20:28 (Split 12:47)

6. Gonzaga W 2– A (Barstow) – 20:34 (Split 12:57)

7. Washington State W 2– H (Tuley) – 20:46 (Split 12:51)

8. Washington State W 2– E (Munro) – 20:48 (Split 12:57)

9. Washington State W 2– G (Proberts) – 21:06 (Split 13:18)

10. Gonzaga W 2– F (Barlag) – 21:14 (Split 13:18)

11. Washington State W 2– F (Mrakova) – 21:21 (Split 13:27)

12. Gonzaga W 2– E (Brackney) – 21:44 (Split 13:24)

13. Gonzaga W 2– C (Spillane) – 21:56 (Split 13:45)
    
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