LAKE NATOMA, Calif. — Lewis & Clark College rowing concluded its fall season Saturday at the Head of the American Regatta, one of the largest head races on the West Coast. Competing on Lake Natoma, the Pioneers placed fifth in the Men's Collegiate 4+ and 18th in the Women's Collegiate 8+ among deep fields featuring multiple Division I programs.
 
THE BASICS
 
10:10 a.m.: Men's 4+
2:24 p.m.: Women's 8+
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Head of the American annually draws more than 200 entries from collegiate, club and masters programs across the western United States. Hosted by the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, the regatta features 5,000-meter head races with single-file starts and multiple turns along the lower section of the American River.
 
The men's varsity four, coxed by senior Sophie Homolka, finished fifth out of 13 crews in 19:04.8, trailing only entries from Gonzaga, Long Beach State and UC Davis A. The Pioneers passed four boats on their way to fifth place. Homolka guided junior Lewis Grimes at stroke, junior Devon Hall in three, senior Eliot Woods in two and junior Paul Kelly in bow. The result placed Lewis & Clark ahead of UC Santa Barbara, Chico State, Cal Poly and Sonoma State in the men's collegiate four division.
 
On the women's side, the varsity eight posted a time of 20:13.5 to place 18th in a field of more than 20 crews from across the region. Senior coxswain Ella Radvany led a lineup of senior Sadie Meredith-Andrews at stroke, senior Carson Cook in seven, sophomore Clare Kimmel in six, senior Lyndsay Morris in five, senior Emma Wind in four, sophomore Meredith Lybbert in three, sophomore Sunny Greenblum in two and senior Zoe Mitchell in bow. The Pioneers finished three-tenths of a second behind UC Berkeley Lightweight and just under 14 seconds ahead of UC Santa Barbara's A crew.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
Lewis & Clark has concluded its fall racing schedule and will gear up for the spring season.