LAKEWOOD, Washington (March 8, 2025) – The University of Puget Sound crew teams opened their 2025 season with a strong performance at today's regatta, showcasing their competitive spirit across multiple events.
In their first race of the year, the Women's Varsity 1V crew delivered an impressive performance, defeating Lewis & Clark by approximately 31 seconds. The team led from start to finish, effectively transitioning to race pace early on and maintaining their lead throughout. The athletes' excitement and enthusiasm were evident as they exceeded expectations in this inaugural race.
The Women's Varsity 4 had a solid showing, staying competitive with Division II Seattle Pacific University (SPU) for the first 500-600 meters. They secured a victory over the University of Oregon, a notable achievement, especially considering some team members were racing for the first time.
The Men's Novice 4 crew engaged in a competitive race against Western Washington University. After a back-and-forth battle off the line, UPS briefly took the lead but ultimately finished behind Western at the finish line. Despite the outcome, it was a commendable race, and the team looks forward to future matchups with Western later in the season.
The Women's Varsity 8 crew delivered a standout performance, recording the fastest time of the afternoon among Division III schools. This result underscores the team's speed and competitiveness early in the season.
Featuring some rowers from the earlier novice race, the Men's Varsity 4 faced strong competition. Despite trailing in the event, the experience provided valuable insights and highlighted areas for improvement.
Despite encountering a few mishaps during their race, the Women's Open 4 crew managed to finish ahead of cross-town rival and meet host Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). Their resilience and ability to overcome challenges were evident in this performance.
Overall, the UPS crew teams demonstrated determination and potential in their season opener, setting a positive tone for the races ahead. The men will race next weekend at Hag Lake in the Oregon Small College Regatta. The women have a short break before returning to American Lake on March 22nd.
