SAN MATEO, Calif. — Despite there being just about one month left during the 2021-22 rowing season, the West Coast Conference has unveiled its annual preseason All-WCC team. Saint Mary's is represented twice on this year's team, with Katrina Heffernan and Emily Ferbet earning preseason honors from the conference.
 
Heffernan lands on the list for the first time in her career, after she was named the freshman of the year by Saint Mary's during her first season in Moraga. She is joined by Ferbet, who is on the list for the second time in as many seasons. Saint Mary's also had two land on the list last year, and during the 2019 season, with Emily Sprigings landing on both lists. Last year, Ferbet joined Sprigings on the preseason team that was announced in February.
 
Around the conference, Gonzaga edges out San Diego as the favorites to win the West Coast Conference (36 v. 31). Last year, San Diego was the slight favorite over the Zags, but Gonzaga wound up winning their sixth-straight WCC Championship in May. Every school in the WCC has multiple rowers on this year's preseason All-WCC squad, with Gonzaga leading the way with four represented on the list. Saint Mary's is projected for a sixth-place finish this year.
 
A complete list of the preseason All-WCC team is found below.
 
2022 All-WCC Preseason Rowing Team
Isla Blake, San Diego
Caitlin Burns, San Diego
Megan Chalfant, Gonzaga
Lauren Compeau, LMU
Hannah Cooney, Gonzaga
Grace Dojan, Gonzaga
Emily Ferbet, Saint Mary's
Alyssa Gorsch, Santa Clara
Katrina Heffernan, Saint Mary's
Averi Hutton, San Diego
Sophia Jadallah, LMU
Destiny Jordan, Creighton
Maddie Olson, Portland
Katie Sierhuis, Gonzaga
Gretchen Strobbe, Creighton
Catherine Watson, Portland
Grace Wyatt, Santa Clara
 
Saint Mary's is in action this weekend at the Portland Invite, set to take place on Saturday, April 16. It marks one of two races left for SMC before the WCC Championship on May 14.
 
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