Instate rivals Washington and WSU face off in the Apple Cup of rowing in the Montlake Cut on Saturday.

The first varsity match will start at 9:30 a.m. with the women’s third varsity eight. The Cougars face the Washington women’s varsity eight in the first of four Apple Cup races.

“It is a great place to race, it is kind of a life experience,” WSU Head Coach Jane LaRiviere said via WSUCougars.com “You start on Lake Union then go to Lake Washington through the Montlake Cut, it is pretty cool.

Both are beautiful, the Snake River is this gorgeous wild open place, and the Montlake Cut is opposite of that in a downtown setting.”

The Cougars were edged out by the Huskies last year when competition took place at Wawawai Landing. Washington took all four races, two of them by between just two to four seconds.

UW is coming off a weekend sweep in the Husky Classic, defeating Lewis & Clark, Puget Sound, Pacific and Seattle University. Conversely, the Cougars best finish in the San Diego Crew Classic was fifth by the varsity eight.

“We are keeping our normal routine after returning from San Diego. We always enjoy a lot of support from the fans in Seattle.” LaRiviere said. “There will be a lot of support and a lot of people who are really excited to cheer on the Cougs.”

Racing concludes at 11:35 a.m. with a trophy presentation to follow.

Reporting by Payton Dineen