By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

OROVILLE, Calif. -- The Willamette University women's rowing team swept a dual regatta against the California State University, Chico club team at the Forebay Aquatic Center on Thursday, March 24. Willamette earned wins in the varsity 8+, varsity 2-, novice 8+, and novice 4+.

Racing conditions were calm with no wind. Times were a bit slower than normal due to a slight bend in the course.

In the WV8+, Willamette completed the race in 8:18.28 and won by more than 20 seconds. Chico State finished in 8:40.48.

The coxswain of the WV8+ was Kyra Farr (Fr., Bellevue, WA/Newport HS). Rowing in the WV8+ were Carrie Moore (So., Walla Walla, WA/South Eugene HS) at stroke, Anna Burdine (Fr., Seattle, WA/Mount Rainier HS) at 7-seat, Hannah Puckett (Jr., Davis, CA/Davis HS) at 6-seat, Elizabeth Crowther (Fr., Boise, ID/Boise High School) at 5-seat, Miranda Martin (So., St. Louis, MO/Ladue Horton Watkins HS) at 4-seat, Rachael Christman (Fr., Kennewick, WA/Southridge HS) at 3-seat, Julia Di Simone (So., Livermore, CA/Livermore Valley Charter Prep) at 2-seat, and Sarah Fish (Jr., Issaquah, WA/Holy Names Academy) at bow.

Willamette's WN8+ boat recorded a time of 8:18.23 to win by a sizable margin over Chico State, which reached the finish line in 9:38.06.

In the novice 8+ boat for Willamette were stroke Natalie Branch (Fr., Cupertino, CA/Homestead HS), 7-seat Allison Davies (Fr., Oceanside, CA/Mission Vista HS), 6-seat Carli Fawcett (Fr., Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Mission Viejo HS), 5-seat Clara Sims (Fr., Los Lunas, NM/School of Dreams Academy), 4-seat Elspeth Charno (So./Fr., Port Angeles, WA/Port Angeles HS), 3-seat Catharine Creadick (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Iolani School), 2-seat Brenda Mittelbuscher (Jr./So., Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS), and bow Annie Jolliff (Fr., Chico, CA/Chico HS). The coxswain was Laura Polkinghorn (Fr., Camino, CA/El Dorado HS).

Rowing for the Bearcats in the varsity 2- were Moore and Fish. Despite being recently paired, and practicing together for the first time on Wednesday, Moore and Fish combined for an excellent race and finished in 9:50.16. Chico State followed at 10:11.10.

The Willamette WN4+ featured Polkinghorn at coxswain. Rowers were Branch at stroke, Davies at 3-seat, Fawcett at 2-seat and Sims at bow. Willamette's winning time was 9:27.02, while Chico State registered a time of 10:22.65.

"The novice 4 who raced were five individuals who also raced in the novice 8. They literally turned right around after docking the eight and jumped into the four to race again, making their result even more impressive," WU Head Coach Reba Knickerbocker said.

Up next for Willamette is the Logger Invitational, which will be hosted by University of Puget Sound on Saturday, April 9. The regatta will be held at American Lake in Tacoma, Washington.