The Cougar rowing team is coming off an impressive Saturday performance just up north at the Head of the Spokane Regatta. The conclusion of the Head of the Spokane event makes the WSU fall rowing season more than halfway done.

The event only featured four schools, WSU, Oregon State, Loyola Marymount and host Gonzaga.

The team was undoubtedly excited to take the bigger boats out on the water for the first time this season as their previous meet, the Burnaby Small Boat Invitational was only solo and pair races.

The duo of Siena Snow and Llaria Macchi won fourth at the Burnaby Invitational and second in the 250-meter sprint. Coach LaRiviere wisely kept the two together for the Head of the Spokane where they placed third.

The day consisted of four varsity eight boats competing, in a five-kilometer race, three in the first flight and one in the second.

The first flights’ suitors placed second, fifth and eleventh. Their respective times were 17:06, 17:35 and 18:41. The second-place crew lost its first-place spot to Gonzaga by a mere two seconds.

WSU also presented three four-person crews that led the pack, placing first, third and fourth with times of 19:15, 19:18 and 19:30 respectively

WSU had six pairs compete. The two top pairs came in at third and fourth place while the third came in fifth.

The Head of the Spokane was the first competitive event for much of the novice crew, no doubt an exciting day for the program’s future.

“Thanks to Gonzaga for hosting and organizing another fantastic event, it was a gorgeous day and the team raced well. Shout out to all the novices who were competing in a collegiate race for the first time,” said head coach Jane LaRiviere.

The team will now set their sights on finishing the season strong as they prepare for their last regatta, the Head of the American, which will take place on Oct. 29 down in California for the head of the American regatta on beautiful Lake Natoma.