Seattle University women’s rowing competed in their first Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in Sacramento, Calif. as the Varsity 8+ qualified for the grand finals race and the Novice 8+ won the petite finals.

Sinclair Ball of Bainbridge Island rows in the 3-seat for Seattle U’s Varsity 8+.

In the Redhawks’ first race of the weekend, the Varsity 8+ finished third in their heat to qualify for the grand finals race. They finished seven seconds ahead of San Diego State with a time of 7:06.3, but fell just shy of Stanford Lights and Saint Mary’s.

“I think the varsity performed well in their heat; they looked really solid coming down the course and qualifying for the grand final,” said interim SU Coach Jennifer Park.

The Novice 8+ moved to the petite finals after placing fourth in their heat behind San Diego State, Orange Coast, and UC Santa Barbara. They finished ahead of Humboldt State with a time of 07:27.2.

Seattle U emerged victorious in the petite finals race, finishing nearly seven seconds ahead of their next closest competitor. SU topped Humboldt State, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and Oregon with a time of 7:28.5.

In the final race of the weekend, the Varsity 8+ finished sixth in the grand finals race with a time of 7:25.4.

“I thought we had some really great racing this weekend,” Park said Park. “The Novice 8 had a solid finish on Saturday and the Varsity 8 finished in the grand final. I’m happy with our results, as are the athletes.”

The Redhawks finished their inaugural varsity season at the Opening Day Regatta on the Montlake Cut on May 4.