CHULA VISTA, Calif. — San Diego women's rowing's first varsity eighted highlighted the Torero competition Friday morning at Otay Lake in a scrimmage against Wisconsin.

"This was a great way to finish our spring camp," said first-year head coach Katie Thurstin. "Every race is an opportunity to execute what you've been practicing every single day and the team did a really nice job racing. We are really grateful for Wisconsin hosting us on Otay Lake this weekend."

The highlight of the day came in the First Varsity Eight, where the Toreros crossed the line first in 6:45.8, besting Wisconsin Lights by 2.6 seconds. Coxswain Hava Appleyard directed a crew of stroke Annabelle Ruinet, Rebecca Donn at seven, Annika Goodwyn at six, Grace Kaufmann at five, Coco Sequeira at four, Esme Oxman at three, Skye Lang at two and Vivien Goretic at bow.

In the Second Varsity Eight, San Diego finished third in 7:02.7 in a combined 'Mega Heat' that included multiple varsity eights from Wisconsin. The boat of coxswain Evy Melstrand, stroke Zoe Caldwell, Leilani Gillespie at seven, Marley Parks at six, Emily Fox at five, Sara Schechner at four, Olivia Goodwyn at three, Ruby Church at two and Vivien Goretic at bow fell just 5.2 seconds back of the winning Graves entry.

San Diego's First Varsity Four of coxswain Ayla Pacheco, stroke Petra Phillips, Sarah Kowing at two, Aurora MacDonald at three and Tate Horsley at bow finished second in 7:49.8, 9.8 seconds behind Wisconsin Lights. The Second Varsity Four — coxed by Elle Karanian with stroke Jess Carter, Chloe Challis at two, Kate Gililland at three and Sophia Quirk at bow — also took second at 8:03.4, just 2.0 seconds off the winning pace of Wisconsin's lightweight entry.

The Toreros' Third Varsity Four of coxswain Nadia Zayas Aguilar, stroke Leah Martinez, Cora Mahaney at two, Pravindi Gurusinghe at three and Jesi Beaulac at bow rounded out the day with a second-place finish in 8:21.5, 21.1 seconds behind the top entry.

The Novice Four of Zayas Aguilar, stroke Cameron Gatlin, Ryan Alvey at two, Mia Cunningham at three and Beaulac at bow also finished second.

"I'm really enjoying watching [the team] all put all of the pieces we have been working on together," said Thurstin. "I'm excited to race against Wisconsin again in two weeks at the Big Ten Invite. Go Toreros!"

Up Next

San Diego women's rowing returns to action on Otay Lake next Saturday, April 11, for the San Diego City Championships.