Zags Take 18th At NCAA Championships

Saturday, May 26

Sarasota, Fla. (Nathan Benderson Park)

All Day

Gonzaga University

NCAA Championships

5/26/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing

May 26, 2018

Final Results

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last two days were compressed into a single day at the NCAA Championships on Saturday at Nathan Benderson Park, as looming thunderstorms sat on the horizon for Sunday.

The (RV) Zags finished 18th overall, their third-best finish at the event and one spot better than 2017. The varsity eight took 17th, holding their seed given prior to the championships, while the second varsity eight and varsity four each took 19th.

The finals were moved to the afternoon, with the rain slowing down, and the varsity eight qualifying in the morning for the C Final, and the second varsity eight and varsity four going to the D Final. The varsity eight was right in the middle pack with No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 15 Syracuse, and No. 17 Washington State for the majority of the C Final race, but faded a bit at the end still beating Central Florida by four seconds at 6:42.241.

The varsity four and second varsity eight both won their D Finals. The second varsity eight executed a patient game plan letting Rhode Island jump out early but eventually taking back the lead and winning by five seconds at 6:51.845. The varsity four took the lead early and led throughout over Central Florida, eventually edging the Knights by five seconds at 7:36.536.

The rain cleared just in time for the Zags to race in the C/D Semifinals in all three boats in the morning, and the varsity eight took advantage, and after letting Northeastern grab an early lead for that coveted third-place spot and trip to the C Final, GU took that back by the 1000 meter mark and then began to push No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 15 Syracuse. GU finished at 6:48.615, a comfortable six seconds ahead of Northeastern and just three seconds back of the Badgers and one second behind the Orange.

In the morning, the second varsity eight chased Navy all the way down the course but came up just one second behind for fourth place at 6:59.448.

In the C/D Fours Semifinal, it was a copy of the second varsity eight race, as GU chased Northeastern the full length and they were less than a second behind in fourth place at 7:44.843.

"It was a fitting end to the season," Gonzaga head coach Glenn Putyrae said. "We are pleased to make some progress in the standings, but also disappointed to be so close to 17th. We are still learning that often how you do during the championship segment of the season is determined by what you do to get stronger during the summer, fall, and winter."

The Zags were young this season and will remain strong next year, returning eight members of their top boat and 21 of the 25 athletes who traveled to the NCAA Championships this season.

GONZAGA LINEUPS

Varsity 8
Alexa Jadallah
Lindey English
Caroline Maguire
Lauren English
Isabelle Belzil
Lauren McCallum
Zoe Calambokidis
Olivia Lada
Alexandra Pinkley