SAN DIEGO – The Cougars' second varsity eight and varsity four each placed fourth, and the varsity eight finished fifth in a strong field, as Washington State rowing concluded the second and final day of racing, Sunday, at the San Diego Crew Classic at Mission Bay.

"It was fantastic to get our first competition under our belts, especially as we had some highlights in all the races," said WSU head coach Jane LaRiviere. "I'm looking forward to getting back to practice on Tuesday."

WSU advanced to the Grand Final of each event Saturday, and was racing against fellow-Pac-12 competitors California, UCLA and USC, as well as Texas and Oklahoma. California placed second at the 2017 NCAA Championships, while Texas was fourth nationally.  Cal swept all three races, while Texas placed second in all three. WSU defeated UCLA in all three of the events on the day.
 
WSU's second varsity eight (coxswain- Ellie Burg, stroke- Kamila Ondrackova, Taija Thompson, Colombe de Rouvroy, Jasmine Brake, Jenna Kennedy, Jessica Norris, Linnea Davison, bow- Renee Kemp) fought hard for fourth. The finish for fourth-place was a contested battle separated by half a second, as the Cougars bested the Sooners. The Cougars finished with a time 7:08.317, to finish ahead of Oklahoma (7:08.831) and Pac-12 opponent, UCLA (7:15.507). Cal won the Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Memorial Trophy with its time of 6:46.996. Rounding out the final were Texas, which placed second, and USC, which placed third. 
 
The Cougar varsity four (coxswain- Chloe White, Emma Gribbon, Emily Weible, Grace Arnis, bow- Sue Yu) was first to the water, Sunday. The Cougars finished with a time at 8:00.956, placing them fourth, ahead of boats from Pac-12 competitors, UCLA and USC, which finished fifth 8:04.774 and sixth 8:08.725, respectively. Cal took home the Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup, winning the final with a time of 7:38.112. Finishing behind Cal, were Texas and Oklahoma, which placed second and third, respectively.
 
The varsity eight (coxswain- Jenna Mangiagli, stroke- Lisa Gutfleisch, Ivy Elling Quaintance, Emily Morrow, Paige Danielson, Kristel Tohu, Lucie Weissova, Rosalina Torcivia, bow- Kateryna Maistrenko) was the last of the Cougar crews to compete Sunday. In a tight contest with Victoria, WSU was edged out in the last stretch to be defeated by less than a second as WSU posted a time of 6:51.480, behind Victoria's 6:50.578. WSU finished fifth, ahead of Pac-12 opponent UCLA (7:03.272). Cal (first, 6:36.965), Texas (6:41.703) and USC (6:49.205) rounded out the top three.
 
WSU continues its spring season on Montlake Cut at Seattle, Wash. against Pac-12 opponent Washington, Saturday, March 31.
 
Women's Collegiate Varsity 8+ Jessop-Whittier Final
1. Cal, 6:36.965
2. Texas, 6:41.703
3. USC, 6:49.205
4. Victoria, 6:50.578
5. Washington State, 6:51.480
6. UCLA, 7:03.272
 
WSU Varsity Eight Lineup
coxswain-Jenna Mangiagli
stroke-Lisa Gutfleisch
7-Ivy Elling Quaintance
6-Emily Morrow
5-Paige Danielson
4-Kristel Tohu
3-Lucie Weissova
2-Rosalina Torcivia
bow-Kateryna Maistrenko
 
Women's Collegiate 2V 8+ Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Memorial Trophy Final
1. Cal, 6:46.996
2. Texas, 6:55.543
3. USC, 7:01.999
4. Washington State, 7:08.317
5. Oklahoma, 7:08.831
6. UCLA, 7:16.507
 
WSU Second Varsity Eight Lineup
coxswain- Ellie Burg
stroke-Kamila Ondrackova
7-Taija Thompson
6-Colombe de Rouvroy
5-Jasmine Brake
4-Jenna Kennedy
3-Jessica Norris
2-Linnea Davison
bow-Renee Kemp
 
Women's Collegiate Varsity 4+ Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup Final
1. Cal, 7:38.112
2. Texas, 7:44.142
3. Oklahoma, 7:59.129
4. Washington State, 8:00.956
5. UCLA, 8:04.774
6. USC, 8:08.725

WSU Varsity Four Lineup
coxswain-Chloe White
4-Emma Gribbon
3-Emily Weible
2-Grace Arnis
bow-Sue Yu