May 17, 2008

GOLD RIVER, Calif. - Competing in 105-degree heat, Western Washington University swept both the varsity eight and varsity four races for the fourth straight year in winning the unofficial NCAA Division II West Regional held in conjunction with the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships on Saturday at Lake Natoma.

It was the fifth consecutive regional triumph for the Vikings' varsity eight, ranked No.1 nationally in the latest USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA II Poll. They completed the 2,000-meter course in 6:53.1, over two boat lengths better than runner-up UC San Diego (7:04.1) with Seattle Pacific third (7:09.3) and Humboldt State fourth (7:09.5).

Western's four won in 8:01.1, followed by UC San Diego (8:04.2), Seattle Pacific (8:11.5) and Humboldt State (8:25.6).

"The eight did what it needed to do," said Western coach John Fuchs. "We figured that we needed to get out in front and let the crews behind race for a spot to nationals. We figured that they would be in a fight, so we just wanted to make sure that we were out of their way."

"The four rowed okay. They weren't very happy with their race, but they did enough."

Seated in the Vikings' eight were coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Jr., Bothell/Inglemoor), stroke Staci Reynolds (Sr., Vancouver/Columbia River), No.7 Metta Gilbert (Sr., Helena, MT), No.6 Meghan Woodman (Jr., Redmond), No.5 Gina Auriemma (Jr., Lake Forest Park/Shorecrest), No.4 Samantha Marikis (Sr., Republic), No.3 Amelia Whitcomb (Sr., Spokane/Ferris), No.2 Audrey Coon (Jr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central) and bow Madeleine Eckmann (So., Winthrop/Liberty Bell).

Western's eight has won six of seven races this season, its only loss being a close second against five Division I schools.

Making up the four were coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Fr., Bellevue), stroke Katie Tipton (Fr., Snohomish), No.3 Casey Mapes (Fr., Anchorage, AK/Service), No.2 Julia Munger (Jr., Palmer, AK/Colony) and bow Hilary Gastwirth (Jr., Issaquah/Liberty).

The Vikings' also competed in the open four event at the PCRC, placing fourth in a seven-boat race with a time of 8:27.2. Loyola Marymount finished first in 8:16.7, followed by Sacramento State (8:20.3) and Cal-Berkeley (8:24.1).

"They did pretty well to finish in the middle of that pack," Fuchs said.

In Western's open four were coxswain Katie Sauerbrey (Fr., Brush Prairie/Hockinson/Clark CC), stroke Heidi Hoff (Jr., Seattle/Roosevelt), No.3 Heather Kelly (So., Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage), No.2 Siri Carlson (Fr., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce) and bow Miranda Steward (So., Kenmore/Inglemoor).

The Vikings, who have won the last three NCAA II national titles, compete in the PAC-10 Championships on Sunday. They will race a varsity eight and second varsity eight.

WWU Lineups:

Varsity 8 - coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Jr., Bothell/Inglemoor), stroke Staci Reynolds (Sr., Vancouver/Columbia River), No.7 Metta Gilbert (Sr., Helena, MT), No.6 Meghan Woodman (Jr., Redmond), No.5 Gina Auriemma (Jr., Lake Forest Park/Shorecrest), No.4 Samantha Marikis (Sr., Republic), No.3 Amelia Whitcomb (Sr., Spokane/Ferris), No.2 Audrey Coon (Jr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central), bow Madeleine Eckmann (So., Winthrop/Liberty Bell).

Varsity 4 - coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Fr., Bellevue), stroke Katie Tipton (Fr., Snohomish), No.3 Casey Mapes (Fr., Anchorage, AK/Service), No.2 Julia Munger (Jr., Palmer, AK/Colony), bow Hilary Gastwirth (Jr., Issaquah/Liberty).

Open 4 - coxswain Katie Sauerbrey (Fr., Brush Prairie/Hockinson/Clark CC), stroke Heidi Hoff (Jr., Seattle/Roosevelt), No.3 Heather Kelly (So., Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage), No.2 Siri Carlson (Fr., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce), bow Miranda Steward (So., Kenmore/Inglemoor).

Pacific Coast Rowing Championships (Gold River, Calif. - Lake Natoma)

DIIV8 - 1. Western Washington 6:53.1, 2. UC San Diego 7:04.1, 3. Seattle Pacific 7:09.3, 4. Humboldt State 7:09.5

DIIV4 - 1. Western Washington 8:01.1, 2. UC San Diego 8:04.2, 3. Seattle Pacific 8:11.5, 4. Humboldt State 8:25.6

O4 - 1. Loyola Marymont 8:16.7, 2. Sacramento State 8:20.3. 3. California 8:24.1, 4. Western Washington 8:27.2, 5. Southern California 8:38.5, 6. UC San Diego 8:51.8, 7. Bair Island 10:00.2