LAKE NATOMA, Calif. — The Gaels were able to race both the Tritons of UC San Diego and the Wildcats of Kansas State this past Saturday as part of the Hornet Invite, hosted by Sacramento State. The Gaels had the opportunity to twice attack the course at Lake Natoma, and work on different parts of the race each time down, making this event for the Gaels to continue to grow as a crew. 

First up against UC San Diego, the Gaels showed significant improvement on all margins from this event a year ago. The Tritons bested the Gaels in both varsity eight races as well as the varsity fours, but Saint Mary's continued to show excellent growth on the water, being beaten by the narrowest of margins in all three races.

Dual two of the day saw the Gaels pick up a signature win in the varsity eight race against Kansas State. The Gael boat of coxswain Skye Kirsten, stroke Hathaway Scarpine, Katie Ferbet, Katelyn Robertson, Kendall Brazeel, Maria Moreno Roque, Faith Freligh, Kelly Nelson, and Carolyn Huckel guided their boat to a time of 6:59.3, besting the Wildcats by a 7.2 second margin. The second varsity eight boat as well as the varsity four put up good battles as well, both finishing just behind the K-State boats. 

In two weeks, the Gaels will be back in action for a dual with Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata on March 29. 

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