SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Portland Pilots Rowing was picked to finish seventh in the 2026 West Coast Conference Rowing Preseason Coaches Poll, with Rachel Hester and Jo Patton both making the 2026 All-WCC Preseason Team.
 
This is the first time that both Hester and Patton have earned All-WCC Preseason honors. Hester and Patton both raced with the first varsity eight all season long in 2025, earning wins at the Puget Sound Invite and the Portland Invite. The varsity eight twice won WCC Crew of the Week honors.
 
The Oregon State Beavers were picked to win the WCC crown in 2026, racking up 81 points and nine first-place votes in the voting. The Gonzaga Bulldogs were the only other team to earn a first-place vote, along with earning 70 points, with the Washington State Cougars close behind at 68 points. The newcomers, the Sacramento State Hornets, earned 55 points while the San Diego Toreros added 48 points.
 
The Saint Mary's Gaels were picked to finish just ahead of the Pilots at sixth place, tallying 43 points, with the Pilots behind in seventh at 32 points. The Creighton Bluejays were picked eighth at 26 points, the Santa Clara Broncos ninth at 15 points, and the incoming Seattle U Redhawks 10^th at 12 points.
 
Portland Rowing is coming off a season that saw them earn key wins. The Pilots won at the Puget Sound Invite and Portland Invite this season and also had all four competing boats make the grand finals for the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. At the WCC Championships, the second varsity four qualified for the grand final in a revamped conference championship while the second varsity eight took first at the petite final for their first win ever at the WCC Championships.
 
See below for the full preseason poll and preseason team.
 
2026 Rowing Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Oregon State - 81 points (9)
2. Gonzaga - 70 points (1)
3. Washington State - 68 points
4. Sacramento State - 55 points
5. San Diego - 48 points
6. Saint Mary's - 43 points
7. Portland - 32 points
8. Creighton - 26 points
9. Santa Clara - 15 points 
10. Seattle U - 12 points
 
2026 All-West Coast Conference Rowing Preseason Team
Tulla Angeley, Oregon State
Isabella Barstow, Gonzaga
Giullia Clerici, Oregon State
Emily Cole, Santa Clara
Kaylee Godwin, Sacramento State
Annika Goodwyn, San Diego
Paige Harty, Creighton
Rachel Hester, Portland
Carolyn Huckel, Saint Mary's
Grace Kaufmann, San Diego
Charlotte Lightfoot, Oregon State
Rhianna Loughnan, Oregon State
Lula Macy, Gonzaga
Leah Manzo-McCottry, Gonzaga
Dominique Matthews, Santa Clara
Mackenzie Murray, Sacramento State
Kelly Nelson, Saint Mary's
Jo Patton, Portland
Sophie Schmidt, Seattle U
Siena Snow, Washington State
Harriet Thompson, Washington State
Freddy Todhunter, Washington State
Cami Torres, Seattle U
Lily Zeimetz, Creighton

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