No. 10 Cougar Rowing Finishes Clemson Invite

CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 10 Washington State rowing raced closely with No. 4 Virginia in many of Sunday’s final heats at the Clemson Invitational, under near-perfect but rainy conditions at Lake Hartwell.

“We had a great weekend of racing here at Clemson,” said Washington State rowing head coach Jane LaRiviere. “We are very proud of the Cougs today. Now, we will take a day off and then get back to work.”

Washington State’s varsity eight (coxswain- Sarah Wu, stroke- Jordan Watson, Mihaela-Teodora Berindei, Ieva Adomaviciute, Mickey Aylard, Nicole Hare, Kim Coon, Savannah Davison, bow- Morgan Cathrea) performed well in its final race of the weekend and competed closely with No. 4 Virginia, who highlighted the seven-team field. Virginia claimed the early lead in the race by a few seats, and steadily rowed just slightly ahead of WSU. The Cougars battled with Harvard in a race for second place. The Cougars increased their advantage on Harvard down the race course and finished second in 6:29.6. Virginia crossed in 6:28.0, making it WSU’s closest race of the day. No. 18 Oregon State was about 13 seconds behind the Cougars, finishing fourth at 6:42.7.

In the final second varsity eight heat of the weekend for WSU, again the Cougars showcased their skill against some of the nation’s best. WSU (coxswain- Julia Monroe, stroke- Noel Christiansen, Sarah Steger, Kayla Wakulich, Kellen Srb, Jessi Howe, Carter Marks, Emily Morrow, bow- Isabella Watt) claimed a second-place spot as it lengthened down into its base stroke rate. Virginia was just out-stroking Washington State, and the Cougars completed the race in 6:40.0, five seconds back of the Cavaliers at 6:35.1. The third-place crew was No. 18 Oregon State, who had to use one key stroke to outlast No. 15 Harvard and No. 20 Minnesota. Less than one second separated the crews, with Oregon State crossing at 6:43.0, Harvard at 6:43.2, and Minnesota at 6:43.9.

In Washington State’s varsity four heat, the Cougars faced one of the weekend’s dominant fours, No. 4 Virginia. The Cougars (coxswain- Rebecca Burns, Tori Gerken, Katrina Tarrant, Megan McDonald, bow- Lucie Weissova) were in another great battle for second place, just behind Virginia. Washington State led No. 20 Minnesota by a full boat length, approaching the 1,000-meter mark. The Cougars continued to keep distance from Minnesota, who battled closely with Harvard through the final meters of Sunday’s race. WSU crossed the line in 7:20.6. Seven seconds earlier, Virginia finished at 7:13.1, and Minnesota narrowly edged No. 15 Harvard, finishing one second ahead at 7:26.9. Pac-12 competitor, No. 18 Oregon State, finished sixth at 7:36.3.

The Cougar third varsity eight completed WSU’s day of racing. WSU (coxswain- Jenna Mangiagli, stroke- Codi Swenson, Isabella Nicosia, Jessica Newson, Kotryna Lasaite, Jenna Kennedy, Kacie Hillery, Katie Persley, bow- Brittany Brooks) settled into third place behind No. 4 Virginia and No. 15 Harvard, and maintained that position for the length of the course. Virginia posted the fastest third varsity eight time of the day at 6:31.1 to lead the field. Harvard followed in second at 6:50.3, and Washington State, crossed in 6:55.1.

The Cougars have next week off before heading to Lowell, Ore. to face No. 18 Oregon State, Saturday, May 2. It will mark Washington State’s final race before the Pac-12 Championships.

2015 Clemson Invitational
Sunday, April 19 | 4:30 a.m. PT/7:30 a.m. ET | Lake Hartwell (Clemson, S.C.)
Final Session Results

Women’s Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
1.   Virginia, 6:28.0
2.   Washington State, 6:29.6
3.   Harvard, 6:34.3
4.   Oregon State, 6:42.7
5.   Minnesota, 6:45.6
6.   Oklahoma, 6:52.9
7.   Pennsylvania, 6:59.3

WSU Varsity Eight Lineup
coxswain-Sarah Wu
stroke-Jordan Watson
7-Mihaela-Teodora Berindei
6-Ieva Adomaviciute
5-Mickey Aylard
4-Nicole Hare
3-Kim Coon
2-Savannah Davison
bow-Morgan Cathrea

Women’s Second Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
1.   Virginia, 6:35.1
2.   Washington State, 6:40.0
3.   Oregon State, 6:43.0
4.   Harvard, 6:43.2
5.   Minnesota, 6:43.9
6.   Oklahoma, 6:55.9

WSU Second Varsity Eight Lineup
coxswain-Julia Monroe
stroke- Noel Christiansen
7-Sarah Steger
6- Kayla Wakulich
5-Kellen Srb
4- Jessi Howe
3-Carter Marks
2-Emily Morrow
bow-Isabella Watt

Women’s Varsity Four (Heat 2)
1.   Virginia, 7:13.1
2.   Washington State, 7:20.6
3.   Minnesota, 7:26.9
4.   Harvard, 7:27.1
5.   Pennsylvania, 7:36.0
6.   Oregon State, 7:36.3
7.   Oklahoma, 7:40.8

WSU Varsity Four Lineup
coxswain-Rebecca Burns
4-Tori Gerken
3-Katrina Tarrant
2-Megan McDonald
bow-Lucie Weissova

Women’s Third Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
1.   Virginia, 6:31.1
2.   Harvard, 6:50.3
3.   Washington State, 6:55.1
4.   Louisville Fourth Varsity Eight, 7:02.2
5.   Oklahoma, 7:08.8

WSU Third Varsity Eight Lineup
coxswain- Jenna Mangiagli
stroke- Codi Swenson
7-Isabella Nicosia
6-Jessica Newson
5-Kotryna Lasaite
4-Jenna Kennedy
3-Kacie Hillery
2-Katie Persley
bow- Brittany Brooks