VANCOUVER, Wash. — Saint Mary's Women's Rowing headed north to begin the month of April with the Portland Invite. Three races were held versus Portland, with two varsity eights and a varsity four competing. The Gaels put three boats in the water and took first place in two of the three races, capping off a successful morning of competition in the WCC for the first time since the fall of 2019.
 
The dual-meet style event began with the varsity fours, which were won by Portland by nearly 28 seconds, as former Gaels assistant coach Gulliver Scott picked up a win for Portland. The Gaels took control in the varsity eights, however, with both boats earning victories. In the first varsity eight, Saint Mary's won with a time 7:19.5, besting the Pilots by nearly eight seconds. In the second varsity eight, the Gaels were even faster, posting a time of 7:03.5 and again securing an eight-second victory.
 
The Gaels have looked awfully good in early competition so far this season, after scoring exhibitions wins against Santa Clara in three out of four timed races, while picking up two dual-style wins on Saturday against another WCC opponent in Portland. Saint Mary's will be back in action next weekend as they take on Sacramento State on Saturday, April 10 for their lone non-WCC opponent of the season.
 
RESULTS
Varsity Four
1. Portland, 8:32.8
2. Saint Mary's, 9:00.1

Second Varsity Eight
1. Saint Mary's, 7:19.5
2. Portland, 7:27.2

First Varsity Eight
1. Saint Mary's, 7:03.5
2. Portland, 7:11.3
 
SMC LINEUPS
Varsity Four
Coxswain Madison Sciba, 4 Jessica Ponce, 3 Elizabeth Carlos, 2 Abbie Phillips, Bow Jezebel Garcia
 
First Varsity Eight
Coxswain Lina Rak, 8 Emily Sprigings, 7 Hathaway Scarpine, 6 Vivian Hsu, 5 Katrina Heffernan, 4 Olivia Watson, 3 Emma Scanlan, 2 Emily Milbrath, Bow Emily Ferbet
 
Second Varsity Eight
Coxswain Camille Bischoff, 8 Brooklyn Cassel, 7 Alyssa Teague, 6 Kiki Koeppen, 5 Katie Boselli, 4 Courtney Cassel, 3 Madison Ciccolella, 2 Lindsay Abrams, Bow Emily Pelster