Women's Crew WIRA 2024
At this year’s Western Intercollegiate Rowing Championships (WIRA) located in Sacramento, California, our Women’s Crew competed with two boats, a Novice 8+ and Novice 4+. The first of those boats to race was the Novice 8+. In their first heat, they raced the 2k course against five other boats, which included UCSB’s A boat, UCI, SDSU, UCD and CPSLO’s B boat. Our Women’s Crew had a steady start with a good line as they kept up with the center lane. Our crew had to make a course correction while competing crews gained an advantage as we expended extra energy follwing the correction. The Women’s Novice 8+ finished with a time of 8:53.7, around 30 seconds behind the fifth place boat. However, still qualifying for the Petite Final the following day. During the Petite Final it was versus CPSLO’s A boat, UCSB, SCU, UCD and CPSLO’s B boat. We had a strong start, but lost momentum as the race progressed and finished with a time of 8:52.1.
For the Women’s Novice 4+ boat it was a bit of a different story. During their heat they raced against USD, OCC, CPH, UPS, SEA and UNLV. Our boat had a powerful start which put them in the third place position. Boats slowly spread out throughout the course, but Long Beach kept their spot in third at the finish line, with CPH very close behind. They finished with a total time of 9:16.01, making it into the petite final that took place later that day. When asked how they felt about that race, novice rower Maria Martel stated , “During our first novice race, the novice 4+ boat felt incredible! The boat was stable, and our rowing was more synchronized than ever. It was an emotional experience for all of us. While we didn’t secure first place, we poured our hearts into the race. I couldn’t help but think about how proud Coach John and Coach Scott would be of our effort!” She even became emotional at the end of the heat because she was surprised that they were able to surpass other boats.
Coming into the petite final, the Long Beach Women’s Crew knew they had to give it their all once again. Martel described their plan stating, “Preparing for the petite final, we mentally stayed positive and wanted to make the last race of the day to be worth it. Bri, our coxswain made sure to prepare us by telling us the rate that we needed to be at which was 32-36 strokes per minute.” Going into their final, the women’s novice 4+ wanted to improve their time from the last race. In the petite final they contended against CALLT, SAC, UCD and L&C. They once again started strong in the third position, their coxswain reminding them to focus on their breathing. UCD, however was able to pass our boat, but we stayed right in front of L&C to finish fourth with a total time of 9:14.779. The women’s novice 4+ was able to reach their goal of improving their time and were very proud. Martel felt that the boat was, “filled with adrenaline and it felt amazing!”
WIRA has shown some potential for next seasons Long Beach Women’s Varsity Crew, especially when it comes to small boats. Martel stated that her takeaways from this years championship were, “the importance of staying focused in the boat and the ability to adjust to different circumstances and the power of teamwork and sportsmanship. Everyone we raced cheered us and thanked us for racing, we did as well. Rowing is a competition sport but also a place where great friendships are made.”
First Photo Caption: The Women's Novice 4+ launching.
Second Photo Caption; The Women's Novice 4+ crossing the finish line. Stroke Bailey Hartman, 3 seat Julia Jaques, 2 seat Maria Matel, Bow Gracie Polinski, Cox Brianna Torres.