VANCOUVER, WASH. — San Diego women's rowing's 2V8+ captured a West Coast Conference championship on Saturday morning on Vancouver Lake, marking a strong finish to a resilient 2021 season for USD.

"I am incredibly proud of this team,"  San Diego head coach Stesha Carle said after the event. "It was nothing short of a very challenging year and the team continued to respond to everything thrown their way.  The 2V8+ had an incredible season, I am very excited to see those nine take home some hardware.  While this season ended sooner than we would have liked, the future is looking bright."

Two Toreros earned conference awards on the afternoon and three were named to the 2021 Women's Rowing All-WCC First Team. Redshirt senior Kadee Sylla was named the 2021 WCC Women's Rower of the Year and redshirt sophomore Mady Kertin was named the 2021 WCC Women's Rowing Co-Coxswain of the Year, while Sylla, redshirt senior Sam Ahlman, and redshirt junior Isla Blake were selected to the 2021 Women's Rowing All-WCC First Team.
 
The 2V4+ was the first boat to come down the course for the Toreros.  After a close first 250m, USD pushed out over Creighton as Gonzaga started to push out in front of the field.  Gonzaga extended their lead and came in first.  USD came in second and Creighton came in third.

The 1V4+ was the first point scoring boat to go down the course.  After a tight battle over the start of the race, Gonzaga pushed through the field leaving USD battling with Creighton for second.  Through the middle of the race LMU pushed through into second as USD moved ahead of Creighton.  USD finished third.

The 2V8+ went out on a mission.  They quickly moved into first and had a length on the field at 750m in.  Coming into the last 500 the 2V increased to an open water lead, leaving the rest of the field fighting for second and third.

Coming into the 1V8+ race, USD was leading in total points with 20.  Gonzaga was in second with 19 points.  In order to win the championship, USDs 1V would have to come in first.

After a tight first 250m in the 1V8+ race, Gonzaga and USD were neck and neck.  USD pushed out to a three-seat lead over Gonzaga leaving Creighton and Portland a length behind.  Coming across the halfway, Gonzaga pulled even and started to overtake the lead.  Gonzaga continued to extend their lead over the third 500 and across the line, claiming the WCC title as a team.

RESULTS:
Varsity 8
Gonzaga | 6:36:55
San Diego | 6:44:51
Creighton | 6:48:97
Portland | 6:58:80
Saint Mary's | 7:03:20
LMU | 6:55:92
Santa Clara | 7:11:06

2nd Varsity 8
San Diego | 6:49:64
Gonzaga | 6:56:77
Portland | 6:58:68
Creighton | 7:09:77
Saint Mary's | 7:13:41

Varsity Four
Gonzaga | 7:37:95
San Diego | 7:53:19
Creighton | 8:06:44
Portland | 8:17:20
Saint Mary's | 8:58:55
LMU | 7:47:46

2V4+
Gonzaga | 7:56.53
USD | 8:18.73
Creighton | 8:28.84

FINAL 2021 WCC CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1.	Gonzaga	40 points
2.	San Diego	38 points
3.	Creighton	28 points
4.	Portland	26 points
5.	Saint Mary's	18 points
--	LMU	0 points
--	Santa Clara	0 points

LINEUPS:
1V8+
Mady Kertin
Sam Ahlman
Saskia Schneider
Kadee Sylla
Caitlin Burns
Julia Camillucci
Kathryn Brady
Erin Steele
Isla Blake

2V8+
Averi Hutton
Hilde Ringger
Amanda Finnie
Morgan Asher
Brynne Stengel
Mari Olson
Lexi Brinker
Bella Kolander
Madison Dowson

1V4+
Penny Herrera
Marissa Dzotsi
Nicky Herrera-Ross
Emma McIntyre
Genevieve Rovetti

2V4+
Julianna Kihmm
Negahr Rastguiy
Alex Fant
Madi Hirchag
Blythe ter Kuile

Spares
Alyssa Moreno
Diana Iovanescu