LAKE NATOMA, Calif. – Gonzaga women's rowing opened the 2026 West Coast Conference Championships with a strong day on the water Friday at Lake Natoma, advancing multiple boats into Saturday's finals competition.

The Bulldogs posted top-two finishes in all four preliminary heats, highlighted by a first-place finish in the Women's II Four Heat 2 and a runner-up result in the Women's I Eight Heat 1.

Gonzaga started the morning in the Women's II Four Heat 2, where the Zags crossed in second place with a time of 7:53.609. Gonzaga stayed within striking distance throughout the race, finishing ahead of Portland, Saint Mary's and Sacramento State.

The Bulldogs followed with another strong showing in the Women's I Four Heat 2. Gonzaga took second in 7:44.066 after battling Washington State through the middle 1,000 meters. The Zags finished comfortably ahead of Portland, Sacramento State and Seattle U to secure a spot in Saturday's final.

In the Women's II Eight Heat 2, Gonzaga earned its first heat victory of the regatta, finishing in 7:09.790. The Bulldogs surged ahead of Portland, Sacramento State and Seattle U, while narrowly trailing Washington State for much of the race before making a late push to secure second overall positioning heading into finals racing.

The day concluded with the Women's I Eight Heat 1, where Gonzaga delivered one of the top performances of the morning. The Bulldogs placed second in 6:53.029, finishing just behind Oregon State and ahead of Washington State, Santa Clara and Creighton. Gonzaga stayed close to the Beavers throughout the race and separated from the rest of the field over the final 500 meters.

The Zags return to Lake Natoma on Saturday for the final day of the WCC Championships with conference titles and NCAA Championship qualification spots on the line.