Lumberjacks Finish Runner-Up at GNAC Championships, Turn Focus Toward NCAA Nationals

Rowing 5/16/2026 12:52:00 PM Drew Gwerder

Lumberjacks Finish Runner-Up at GNAC Championships, Turn Focus Toward NCAA Nationals

GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt rowing closed out the 2026 GNAC Women's Rowing Championships with a runner-up team finish Saturday morning at Lake Natoma, totaling 23 points behind a pair of strong performances in the varsity races and a victory in the exhibition 4 competition.

The Lumberjacks finished second in the varsity 8+ and third in the varsity 4+ as conditions remained favorable throughout much of the morning. Calm water, low winds and temperatures in the low-70s produced fast times during the penultimate competition of the collegiate season before winds increased ahead of the final varsity 8+ race.

Humboldt's varsity 8+ crew posted a time of 7:18.584 to secure second place and 15 team points. The Lumberjacks finished ahead of nationally-ranked Seattle Pacific and Central Oklahoma in the event.

Coxswain Giania Bogacki guided the boat alongside Lily Storseth, Leah Dunn, Elsie Stevens, River Walkington, Royce Ankel, Dayanara Anaya, Adelaide Toll and Ellie Walters.

The Lumberjacks added eight more points in the varsity 4+, finishing third with a time of 8:26.948. Olivia Huynh served as coxswain for the crew of Emma Wilson, Keziah Rutschow, Nadia Weise and Laurel Calhoun.

Cal Poly Humboldt capped the day with a victory in the exhibition 4 race, finishing more than 10 seconds ahead of the field with a winning time of 8:25.978.

The winning exhibition lineup featured coxswain Jenna Frampton with Rowan White, Danika Harper, Linea Vizenor and Lea Lankston.

"First, congratulations to Western Washington on a great day of racing," said head coach Matt Weise. "Our second varsity 4 had a great race leading from start to finish to secure the win. I thought the varsity 4 and varsity 8 raced well and made strides that we're excited about heading into nationals. I'm proud of this group, but we're ready to get back to work preparing for nationals in Georgia at the end of the month."

The Lumberjacks entered the championships ranked No. 2 in the latest CRCA Pocock NCAA Division II Women's Rowing Coaches Poll released May 12 behind 2026 GNAC Champion Western Washington. Selections for the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Rowing Championships will be announced Tuesday, with the national championships scheduled for May 29-30 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia.