LAKE NATOMA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots capped their spring break by competing at the Sacramento State Invitational at the CSUS Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma on Saturday morning. The Pilots rowed in five races, with the novice four finishing first in its event.
 
The regatta marked the spring season opener for the Pilots, and the Invitational also featured Saint Mary’s, defending NCAA Division II National Champion Humboldt State, UC San Diego, Sonoma State and Mills College.
 
“The Sacramento State Invitational was a nice way to end spring break,” Portland head coach Bill Zack said. “The Hornets coaching staff and Aquatic Center put on a great event.”
 
Portland’s second eight began the day by finishing in second place by just three seconds to host Sacramento State. Portland posted a time of 7:07.4, while the Hornets covered the 2,000 meter course in 7:04.4.
 
UP’s first eight then recorded a time of 6:57.0, which was third to WCC foe Saint Mary’s (6:54.6) and the Hornets (6:50.8).
 
“The team has closed some ground on Saint Mary's in the first eight from last year, but we still have a way to go in a very competitive year for the WCC,” added Zack. “The second eight rowed very well and there might be some switches between the two boats by the next race. The training camp and racing has made everyone very comfortable with the venue and the race course.”
 
Portland’s novice four ended the day by winning its event. The Pilots finished ahead of both Saint Mary’s and Sacramento State.
 
The Pilots next return to action on April 6 when they head north to Seattle, Wash., for the Husky Open.

Sacramento State Invitational – Lake Natoma, Calif.
SECOND EIGHT
1) Sacramento State - 7:04.4
2) Portland - 7:07.4
3) UC San Diego - 7:13.8
4) Humboldt State - 7:21.5
5) Saint Mary’s - 7:24.3
6) Humboldt State B - 7:47.2

FIRST EIGHT
1) Sacramento State - 6:50.8
2) Saint Mary’s - 6:54.6
3) Portland - 6:57.0
4) UC San Diego - 7:00.7
5) Humboldt State - 7:06.2
6) Sonoma State - 7:48.8
7) Mills College - 7:51.8

NOVICE EIGHT
1) Sacramento State - 7:17.7
2) Humboldt State - 7:21.9
3) Portland - 7:26.4
4) UC San Diego - 7:30.6
5) Sacramento State B - 803.6
6) Mills College - 8:22.1

FIRST FOUR
1) Saint Mary’s - 7:41.1
2) Humboldt State -7:55.0
3) UC San Diego - 8:15.7
4) Sacramento State - 8:16.7
5) Portland - 8:20.2

NOVICE FOUR
1) Portland - 7:54.0
2) Saint Mary’s - 8:25.7
3) Sacramento State B- 8:37.3
4) Humboldt State -8:38.3
5) Sacramento State A- 8:47.5
6) Mills College -9:02.0
7) UC San Diego - 9:09.7

PORTLAND LINEUPS
Varsity eight
Donohoe, Donahue, Opra, Keller, Seibold, Templin, Johnson, Sloat, Dahlem (coxswain)

Second eight
Meras, Osborn, Herman, Molina, Gomez, Tarte, Russell, Blair, Nelson (coxswain)

Novice eight
Kelly, Wilson, Ankeney, Daley, Molina, Pfeiffer, Miller, Osborn, Kincaid (coxswain)
 
First four
Marques, Grimm, Christiansen, Gomez, Cruise (coxswain)

Novice four
Sloat, Templin, Johnson, Keller, Kincaid (coxswain)