GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- On Saturday afternoon, Cal Poly Humboldt Women's Rowing competed from Lake Natoma in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships against Western Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Central Oklahoma. The No.5 ranked 'Jacks placed second overall after totaling 22 points between the Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ races.
Dana Foley,
Kealey Scott, and
Sonja Scollon were named First Team All-GNAC in the post race awards ceremony.
Head coach Matt Weise stated, "Both boats really took a step forward today. The Varsity 4+ helped us and actually went up in placing, while the Varsity 8+ performed well. We have two weeks to get motivated and no one is out of contention, but hats off to Western Washington they did a great job today. It's not official yet but I think most of the west coast teams are going to Cincinnati to compete at the National Championships. It will be another great day of racing."
The day began with the Exhibition 4+ race, then was followed by the Varsity 4+ race and Varsity 8+ race. Humboldt accumulated 10 points with their second place finish in the Varsity 4+ race and 12 points in the Varsity 8+ race.
Exhibition 4+: 1) Western Washington, 8:23.310. 2) Central Oklahoma, 8:34.890. 3) Seattle Pacific, 8:44.880. 4) Cal Poly Humboldt, 9:00.240
Exhibition 4+ Lineup: Giania Bogacki (coxswain),
Dayanara Anaya,
Emma Wilson,
Lucy Eckelman,
Sarah Lorenzini.
Varsity 4+ Final: 1 Seattle Pacific, 8:09.720. 2 Cal Poly Humboldt, 8:13.070. 3 Western Washington, 8:18.430. 4 Central Oklahoma, 8:18.730.
Varsity 4+ Lineup: Emily Daniels (coxswain),
Gabriella Griffin,
Marie-Claire Desplancke,
Emry Yount,
Sydney Schwankl
Varsity 8+ Final: 1 Western Washington, 7:03.090. 2 Central Oklahoma, 7:10.480. 3 Cal Poly Humboldt, 7:13.990. 4 Seattle Pacific, 7:15.020.
Varsity 8+ Lineup: Sonja Scollon (coxswain),
Leah Dunn,
Dana Foley,
Ellie Walters,
Kealey Scott,
Emily Marsolais,
Lulu Voss,
Kylie Mosley,
Gwen Sutton
The Lumberjacks are in a familiar situation, as the defending National Champions also placed second at the GNAC Champioships last year before going on to have their best performance of the season.
"I think it's easier to go to nationals when you are an underdog," said Weise. "We are within striking distance, we just need to get motivated and really start pushing in training. They just have to energize and get really focused because that is what it is going to take."
Rowers
Dana Foley (left),
Kealey Scott (middle), and
Sonja Scollon (right) received First Team All-GNAC for the first time in their careers.
Foley continues to build her resume after receiving 2023 GNAC Rower of the Year, 2023 CRCA Pocock First Team All-American status, and 2022 GNAC Newcomer of the Year.
Scollon adds this honor to her list after being named 2023 GNAC Coxswain of the Year and receiving 2023 CRCA Pocock First Team All-American status.
Although likely, Cal Poly Humboldt will officially know on Tuesday if they are headed to Ohio to compete for another national title. More information on women's rowing can be found at humboldtathletics.com.
