SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Portland Pilots rowing team was picked to finish fifth in the West Coast Conference in the annual WCC Women's Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll and had two rowers named to the All-WCC Preseason Rowing Team: Seniors Maddie Olson and Colleen Cushing.
The Pilots were picked fifth, accumulating a total of 16 points. Gonzaga was picked to repeat as champions with 36 points and six first-place votes. Creighton was picked second with 28 points with San Diego right behind them, with 27 points and one first-place vote. LMU was picked just ahead of the Pilots with 22 points while Saint Mary's and Santa Clara round out the bottom at 10 and eight points respectively.
Olson is a captain on the team and has rowed with the Pilots since the 2018-19 academic year. She was an All-WCC Preseason selection last season and also made the All-WCC Rowing First Team at the WCC Championships. She was also named to the preseason team back in 2021. She rowed with the first Varsity 8 all spring.
Cushing is also a key member of the first Varsity 8 for the Pilots, having rowed with them in every race last season. Cushing has been with the Pilots since the 2019-20 season, with this being her first time as an All-WCC Preseason Team selection.
The Pilots begin the season on Saturday, March 11 at the Sacramento State Invite in Lake Natoma, Calif. Check PortlandPilots.com for details on how to follow along. For the full All-WCC Preseason Team and coaches poll, see below.
| 2023 WCC Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll |
| Team (First Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. Gonzaga (6) |
36 |
| 2. Creighton |
28 |
| 3. San Diego |
27 |
| 4. LMU |
22 |
| 5. Portland |
16 |
| 6. Saint Mary's |
10 |
| 7. Santa Clara |
8 |
2023 Rowing All-WCC Preseason Team
- Clare Bretschneider, Gonzaga, Sr.
- Caitlin Burns, San Diego, Jr.
- Gabrielle Canola-Leach, Santa Clara, Jr.
- Hannah Cooney, Gonzaga, Jr.
- Colleen Cushing, Portland, Sr.
- Grace Dojan, Gonzaga, Sr.
- Grace Frechette, Creighton, Sr.
- Penelope Frost, LMU, Sr.
- Georgia Guinan, LMU, Sr.
- Mary Hartigan, Creighton, Sr.
- Gigi Koerwtiz, San Diego, So.
- Maddie Olson, Portland, Sr.
- Perrine Sarraute, Gonzaga, Jr.
- Hathaway Scarpine, Saint Mary's, Jr.
- Olivia Watson, Saint Mary's, Jr.
- Ivy Williams, Creighton, So.
- Grace Wyatt, Santa Clara, So.
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