By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University rowers launched shells in their first regatta of the 2012-13 season on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Portland Fall Classic. The regatta, sponsored by the Rose City Rowing Club and the Station L Rowing Club, was held on the Willamette River in downtown Portland.

The Bearcats competed in the men's varsity 8+, the women's varsity 8+, the women's varsity 4+ and the collegiate/open women's novice 8+.

In the men's varsity 8+, Willamette finished fifth in 18:21.99. The Oregon State University "A" team won the race in 16:03.52. Willamette's Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference (NCRC) rivals from the University of Puget Sound and Lewis & Clark also competed in the MV8+. Puget Sound took third place at 17:16.27, while L&C was sixth in 18:23.71.

Willamette was seventh out of nine teams in the women's varsity 8+ with a time of 19:34.90. Washington State University won the WV8+ by crossing the finish line in 17:23.16. Puget Sound was fifth at 18:49.82. Lewis & Clark concluded the race in eighth place at 19:46.51.

The Bearcats achieved third place out of four teams in the women's varsity 4+. Washington State led the way with a winning time of 19:15.24. Oregon State was second at 20:06.04 and Willamette was third at 22:57.58. The University of Oregon finished fourth in 23:50.28.

Rowing for Willamette in the WV4+ were Jessie Lovell at stroke, Kate Pfeiffer at 3-seat, Anna Fredendall at 2-seat and Kira Egelhofer at bow. The coxswain was Nicole Piechocki.

In the collegiate/open women's novice 8+ race, Willamette took ninth place out of 10 teams. WU's time was 23:12.78. The Gonzaga University "B" team won the event in 20:24.66. Puget Sound was fifth with a time of 21:20.08. Lewis & Clark placed seventh at 22:47.25.