USC Women's Rowing Varsity Eight Triumphant Over No. 3 Washington at Lake Las Vegas Invitational

LAS VEGAS--After being delayed a full day due to weather conditions, the USC women's rowing team had a strong showing in their first official race of the season as the Varsity 8+ defeated No. 3 ranked Washington's 1V8 boat at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational. 

Three other Trojan boats raced in the regatta, which took place on Lake Las Vegas on March 6 in Henderson, Nev. The Second Varsity 4+ also defeated Washington, while the Varsity 4+ and the Second Varsity 8+ placed second to the Huskies. 

"This regatta was a full team effort. Today was a great testament to the faith present within this Trojan Rowing Family," said head coach Josh Adam. "We want to thank Jim Anderson and the Lake Las Vegas Rowing Club for a great regatta. Plus, we were backed by an amazing support team at USC and with us on site in Las Vegas. Washington is a strong team, and we're very grateful to be able to stay another day and race them today. It was a great first step in the 2022 campaign. We have a lot of work to do, but it was a great way to move the season forward."
 
For a full list of times and boatings, see below. 
 
The Women of Troy faced off against crews from No. 3 ranked University of Washington. The Trojan boats were initially also scheduled to race against Washington State boats, however due to the postponement, Washington State had to pull their crews from the regatta. 
 
The morning began with the Second Varsity 4+ race. The Trojan boat coxed by Bella DeBenedetti and stroked by Ezi Emenike placed first in front of Washington with a time of 7:57.60.
 
The Varsity 4+ hit the water next, coxed by Lillian Lau and stroked by Chiara Meakin. The Trojans placed second behind Washington in this race clocking in a final time of 7:51.69.
 
The Second Varsity 8+ was next on the water, coxed by Olivia Lau and stroked by Celia Marino. The Women of Troy placed second clocking in a final time of 6:51.52. 
 
Finally, the Varsity 8+ wrapped up the morning. Coxed by Eden Cooper-Squires and stroked by Jenna Van De Grift, USC placed first against the No. 2 ranked Washington with a final time of 6:37.50.
 
The Women of Troy now turn their attention to crosstown rival, UCLA. The Trojan crew will face off against the Bruin crew at the UCLA boathouse in Marina del Ray, Calif.