LAKE NATOMA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots put five boats on the water at the Sacramento State Invite on Saturday morning to launch the spring season on Lake Natoma. Portland's varsity eight posted a solid time, finishing better than WCC foe Saint Mary's by eight seconds.
 
With Miranda Reyes in the cox seat and Veronica Nicacio rowing stroke, the varsity eight covered the 2000 meter course in a time of 6:52.7, while the Gaels finished behind the Pilots with a time of 7:00.4. The crew from host Sacramento State posted the fastest times among the varsity eights to finish on top of the field.
 
The Hornets also finished first in the second eight race, while the Pilots posted a time of 7:14.7. UP's second eight was coxed by Emma Papenhausen and had Lauren Formigli at the stroke.
 
Sac State's novice crew made it three straight wins when their eight claimed the field's fastest time. UP's novice boat had Emma Wells as the coxswain and Brooklin Gomez at stroke, and had a time of 7:35.3.
 
Portland's pair of fours concluded the day on Lake Natoma, with the varsity crew also placing ahead of the Gaels with a time of 8:01.1. Portland's second four finished in 8:07.8, and the two fours were coxed by Alice Chang and Alyssa Soete, respectively.
 
"We have only been on the water a handful of times, so this race was a good baseline for depth," said Portland head coach Pasha Spencer, "but we have a lot more we can do."
 
The Sacramento State Invite was the first of six events scheduled this spring for the Pilots, who return to the water next weekend in a dual with Pacific Lutheran and Seattle U. The season culminates with the West Coast Conference Championships, which will take place on May 12 on Lake Natoma.
 
SACRAMENTO STATE INVITE RESULTS – LAKE NATOMA, CALIF.
Varsity 8
1. Sacramento State, 6:45.4
2. UCSD, 6:51.9
3. Portland, 6:52.7
4. Saint Mary's, 7:00.4
5. Humboldt St, 7:01.4
6. Mills, 7:32.9
 
Second 8
1. Sacramento State, 6:54.0
2. Saint Mary's, 7:04.9
3. UCSD, 7:06.2
4. Portland, 7:14.7
5. Humboldt St, 7:15.0
6. UCSD, 7:42.0
 
Novice 8
1. Sacramento State, 7:14.8
2. Humboldt St, 7:21.5
3. UCSD, 7:31.5
4. Portland, 7:35.3
5. OCC, 7:37.5
6. Humboldt St, 7:52.7
7. Mills, 9:28.8
 
Varsity 4
1. Sacramento State, 7:47.9
2. Humboldt St, 7:51.1
3. UCSD, 7:54.3
4. Portland, 8:01.1
5. OCC, 8:05.5
6. Saint Mary's, 8:12.2
 
Second 4
1. UCSD, 8:03.0
2. Humboldt St, 8:06.9
3. Portland, 8:07.8
4. Humboldt St, 8:27.1
 
PORTLAND'S LINE-UPS
Varsity Eight: Miranda Reyes (coxswain), Veronica Nicacio, Lauren Reid, Megan Del Pozzi, Sydne Jacoby, Melanie Martinell, Megan Medalia, Jacquelyn Bass, Acacia Welsford
 
Second Eight: Emma Papenhausen (coxswain), Lauren Formigli, Catherine Watson, Grace Reily-Simmons, Tess Pritchett, Mollie Rutz, Avery Romano, Karen Gonzalez-Yanez, Kiva Goodman
 
Novice Eight: Emma Wells (coxswain), Allison Palazzotto, Brooklin Gomez, Erin Lynch, Emmy Grasser, Emily Caley, Lauren Yee, Meredith Marcinko, Alexus Garcia
 
Varsity Four: Alice Chang (coxswain), Joselene Piedra, Reeca Bardon, Audrey Shellum-Gonzalez, Claire Hodge
 
Second Four: Alyssa Soete (coxswain), Courtney Schmidt Olivia Sanchez, Amanda Hernandez Michalski, Marissa Frazzini