Cougs tame the snarly Snake

WAWAWAI LANDING - Moments before the Washington State rowing team's one and only home event of the season Friday afternoon, the Snake River looked sunny and serene.

The Cougars probably knew not to trust the seemingly placid conditions.

Sure enough, just before WSU's annual encounter with Oregon State started, the wind kicked up and whipped the waters of the Snake. It made rowing a bit trickier, but it was nothing the home team hadn't seen before.

The Cougs, who practice at this stretch of river located 25 miles west of Clarkston, finished first in all four races, to the delight of most of the approximately 150 spectators.

In the varsity 8 race, WSU clocked a time of 6 minutes, 23.4 seconds over 2,000 meters to beat the Beavers by more than 5 seconds. It was the closest race of the day, compared to the Cougars' easier wins in varsity 4, second varsity 8 and third varsity 8/novice 8.

"The Snake River, you either get the garden variety or the pit viper," WSU coach Jane LaRiviere said. "Today was, not quite the pit viper, because it was definitely rowable, but it wasn't as calm as it could have been. We still did our job, and that's the important thing."

The 15th-ranked Cougs collected the two traveling trophies these schools vie for each year - the Crawford Perpetual Plate, for their varsity 8 win, and the Winchell Cup, for their overall regatta triumph.

LaRiviere, who was an assistant coach at Oregon State before her now-16-year tenure at WSU, said Friday's win should be a "confidence-builder" for her team. The Cougars rowed at San Diego and Seattle the previous two weeks, and will travel to South Carolina next week.

"It's almost a rest, having a home weekend," LaRiviere said. "I think we're going to be recharged, to head out on the road to Clemson."

The choppy water made technique all the most important, said varsity 8 coxswain Jenna Mangiagli, and her crew "executed pretty well."

Mangiagli added that it helped to have their fans stationed on the breakwater near the course, cheering them on and waving Cougar flags.

"We can hear all of them when we're racing past the breakwater," she said.

When the varsity 8 boat came to the dock, the rowers wanted to toss Mangiagli into the river in celebration. But the 5-foot-3 senior from Hermosa Beach, Calif., refused.

"I told them, 'Not today - too cold,' " she said.

It was a festive afternoon for the Cougars, but LaRiviere wants her team to stay focused. WSU is in search of its sixth consecutive appearance in the NCAA national event, which is scheduled for late May.

"It was a great way to send the seniors out," she said. "I just hope that they remember they have half of the season left yet. They can't get seniorities on me."

Varsity 8 - 1, Washington State, 6:23.4. 2, Oregon State, 6:28.6.

Second varsity 8 - 1, Washington State, 6:34.3. 2, Oregon State, 6:45.5.

Varsity 4 - 1, Washington State A, 7:21.20. 2, Oregon State, 7:41.9. 3, Washington State B, 7:48.6.

Third varsity 8/novice 8 - 1, Washington State third varsity 8, 6:48.2. 2, Washington State novice 8, 7:02.12. 3, Oregon State, 7:08.49. 4, Washington State second novice 8, 7:16.81.

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Baney may be reached at mbaney@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2258.