SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For the just the third time in program history and the first time since 2015, the Portland Pilots were picked to finish third in the annual WCC Preseason Coaches Poll. Portland also had two athletes named to the All-WCC Preseason Team as well with Veronica Conklin and Mia Kilmister making the squads.
 
This is the first time both Conklin and Kilmister have made the team in their careers. Conklin made the squad after being a fixture with the second varsity eight most of last season. The second varsity eight earned a win in a race against Saint Mary's and Seattle U and also advanced to the Grand Finals at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships (WIRAs). Conklin raced with the first varsity eight all fall, helping them earn a win at the American Lake Fall Classic.
 
Kilmister has been a fixture with the first varsity eight since her freshman year and was with them for every race last spring. The first varsity eight earned two wins on the season, including a win at the Husky Open that earned them WCC Crew of the Month honors for March.
 
The Pilots are coming off a strong fall that saw them earn wins at the American Lake Fall Classic and strong performances at the Head of the Lake regatta in Seattle. Last spring, the Pilots took fourth in the 2023 WCC Championships, with the first varsity eight taking third. Maddie Olson and Colleen Cushing each took home All-WCC honors.
 
Portland opens the season down in Sacramento with the Sacramento State Invite on March 9. Check PortlandPilots.com for more information.
 
See below for the full poll as well as the preseason team. 
 
2024 WCC Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Gonzaga (6) 36
2. San Diego (1) 31
3. Portland 21
4. LMU 20
5. Saint Mary's 18
6. Creighton 15
7. Santa Clara 6

2024 All-WCC Preseason Team
Emily Cary, San Diego
Hannah Cooney, Gonzaga
Veronica Conklin, Portland
Ella Beck, Gonzaga
Sophia Bouvard, San Diego
Vivien Goretic, San Diego
Paige Harty, Creighton
Elise Kahler, Santa Clara
Mia Kilmister, Portland
Olivia McConaghy, Santa Clara
Katelyn Robertson, Saint Mary's
Camille Ruhlin-Hicks, Gonzaga
Hathaway Scarpine, Saint Mary's
Brittany Steenbergen, LMU
Amanda Triebensee, Gonzaga
Kiki Zamost, LMU
Lilly Zeimetz, Creighton

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