GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Portland concluded a successful showing at the 2026 West Coast Conference Rowing Championships Saturday with a varsity eight win in the petite finals and three boats placing in their respective grand finals. The Pilots finished seventh overall at the event with 29 points, one shy of host Sacramento State's 30.

Portland seniors Veronica Conklin and Rachel Hester were recognized as All-WCC honorees after the championships.

The team carried momentum from Friday's successful qualifying heats into a solid performance in the finals. The first varsity eight clocked a time of 7:06.9 to pull away from the petite final field by more than five seconds.

The Pilots also outperformed their seeds in both the second varsity four and second varsity eight races by placing fifth. The 2V4 posted a time of 8:11.9 to finish well ahead of Saint Mary's. The 2V8's time of 7:21.6 moved them past San Diego and was only one second behind Saint Mary's.

The first varsity four crossed the line in 8:08.5 and took sixth place in their grand final.

The championship field featured 10 teams this year with six member schools – Gonzaga, Portland, Saint Mary's, San Diego, Santa Clara and Seattle U – joined by four affiliates in Creighton, Oregon State, Sacramento State and Washington State. Oregon State claimed the title and automatic NCAA berth with a total of 60 points.

See below for complete results, league awards, lineups and final championship scores.

2026 WEST COAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
GOLD RIVER, CALIF. (SACRAMENTO STATE AQUATIC CENTER AT LAKE NATOMA)
MAY 15-16, 2026

2026 WCC CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL RESULTS
1. Oregon State, 60 points
2. Washington State - 51 points
3. Gonzaga - 45 points
4. San Diego - 44 points
5. Saint Mary's - 35 points
6. Sacramento State - 30 points
7. Portland - 29 points
8. Creighton - 14 points
9. Santa Clara - 14 points
10. Seattle U - 8 points

2026 West coast conference honors
Major Award Winners
WCC Rower of the Year: Lauren Garrett, Oregon State
WCC Coach of the Year: Michael Eichler, Oregon State
WCC Coxswain of the Year: Taylor Denger, Oregon State
WCC Newcomer of the Year: Eesha Raj, Washington State

All-West Coast Conference
Creighton: Lily Zeimetz and Paige Harty
Gonzaga: Jenna Kleckler, Leah Manzo-McCottry and Lula Macey
Oregon State: Lauren Garrett, Giulla Clarici, Rhianna Loughnan and Charlotte Lightfoot 
Portland: Veronica Conklin and Rachel Hester 
Sacramento State: Kaylee Godwin and Ella Holmes 
Saint Mary's: Carolyn Huckel and Katelyn Robertson
San Diego: Annika Goodwyn and Annabelle Ruinet
Santa Clara: Dominque Matthews and Frankie Park
Seattle U: Sophie Schmidt and Faith Dickey
Washington State: Harriett Thompson, Siene Snow and Jeave Proberts

SATURDAY'S FINALS
Second V4 – Petite Final
1. Sacramento State, 8:16.657
2. Creighton, 8:29.398

Second V4 - Grand Final
1. Oregon State, 7:40.990
2. Washington State, 7:51.045
3. Gonzaga, 7:55.229
4. San Diego, 8:07.261
5. Portland, 8:11.881
6. Saint Mary's, 8:16.046

First V4 – Petite Final
1. Sacramento State, 8:07.306
2. Creighton, 8:29.936
3. Santa Clara, 8:41.979
4. Seattle U, 9:20.557

First V4 – Grand Final
1. Oregon State, 7:28.395
2. Washington State, 7:42.794
3. Gonzaga, 7:48.102
4. San Diego, 7:55.687
5. Saint Mary's, 8:05.026
6. Portland, 8:08.460

Second V8 – Petite Final
1. Sacramento State, 7:18.290
2. Santa Clara, 7:28.028
3. Seattle U, 7:35.028
4. Creighton, 7:48.375

Second V8 – Grand Final
1. Oregon State, 6:57.200
2. Washington State, 7:03.594
3. Gonzaga, 7:13.380
4. Saint Mary's, 7:20.400
5. Portland, 7:21.584
6. San Diego, 7:24.263


First V8 – Petite Final
1. Portland, 7:06.857
2. Creighton, 7:11.959
3. Santa Clara, 7:13.731
4. Seattle U, 7:43.429

First V8 – Grand Final
1. Oregon State, 6:45.796
2. San Diego, 6:54.345
3. Washington State, 6:55.096
4. Gonzaga, 6:58.317
5. Sacramento State, 7:02.294
6. Saint Mary's, 7:14.570


PORTLAND LINEUPS
Varsity Eight
C: Leahbelle Paladino
8: Julia Kiplinger
7: Veronica Conklin
6: Jo Patton
5: Rachel Hester
4: Molly Spraker
3: Kylin Gahlmann
2: Averie Zealley
1. Aneta Seböková

Second Varsity Eight
C: Natalie Petty
8: Mina Mihajlovic
7: Madi Quinton
6: Shelby Hack
5: Claire Banasky
4: Felicity Bishop
3: Nevaeh Rhodes
2: Isabella Honig
1. Massey Willis

Varsity Four
C: Bella Valenzuela
4: Phoebe Price
3: Addison Burleigh
2: Zoe Del Vecchio
1: Tania Hernandez Abud

Second Varsity Four
C: Reegan Gardiner
4: Megan Eckels
3: Elizabeth Adams
2: Sam Kronis
1: Savanna Collins

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