SEATTLE, Wash. - The No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II Western Washington University women's rowing team returned to regatta competition on Saturday morning, winning the Varsity 8+ race of the Husky Open on Montlake Cut.

WWU's top eight-oared lineup completed the 2,000-meter course in 7:08.935, defeating NCAA II 7^th-ranked Seattle Pacific (7:13.079) and the University of Washington (7:20.849).

Led by sophomore coxswain Jonah Bettger (Brush Prairie, WA/Prairie) and senior All-American Chloe Burns (Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington) in the stroke seat, the Vikings powered through a strong second half of the race to record the 5-second victory over SPU. UW's entry in the race was its 4V lineup as the program also competed in a dual against Washington State earlier in the morning.

The Vikings held a slight lead after the first 500 meters and trailed by one seat at the midway point racing neck-in-neck with Seattle Pacific. WWU made its move just after the 1,000-meter mark and opened up a sizeable lead over the final 300 meters for the victory.

"It was a fun day for sure as UW is always a great host," said 20^th-year head coach John Fuchs. "We are pleased with both crews' performances. The 1V was able to finish strong netting them the overall medal for the 1V event. Anytime we can do that against a Washington crew, Portland and Seattle U., we will take it."

WWU's time in the 1V8 event was tops among the six entries, followed closely by Seattle Pacific and the University of Portland and Puget Sound from the second heat.

WWU's 2^nd Varsity 8+ finished 2^nd in its race matching up against Portland and Seattle Pacific. Portland finished in 7:23.901, with WWU following in 7:30.483. The 2V8+ was led by sophomore coxswain Adele Houston (Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale) and junior stroke Hannah Bivans (Claremont, CA).

"The 2V had a solid run as well but they stumbled out of the blocks and it took them a while to catch up," added Fuchs. "Third for them overall is acceptable given the first 100 meters. It is always fun to race here."

The Vikings continue the 2018 season next Saturday (April 7) competing against top West Region teams at the Covered Bridge Regatta on Dexter Lake in Lowell, Oregon.

RACE RESULTS
Here are the race results from WWU's two entries in the Husky Open on Saturday on the Montlake Cut in Seattle. WWU netted the overall medal with the top time in the Varsity 8 races, and recorded the 3^rd-best time in the 2V8 heats. The Vikings rowed out of Lane 2 in both races on the 2,000-meter course that started in Lake Washington, parallel to the Evergreen Point floating bridge, through the Montlake Cut and finished at the mouth of Portage Bay, near Lake Union.

VIKINGS FLEET
Here is a look at WWU's boat lineups from the two races on Saturday at the Husky Open in Seattle.

ROW | @WWU_Rowing is battling UW and Seattle Pacific in the Varsity 8+ on the Montlake Cut. WWU is in the middle leading midway through the race. pic.twitter.com/BikDIhU8Ey

- WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) March 31, 2018

ROW | Here is a look at the boat lineup for the V8+ race that is set to begin at 10:24 am racing against UW and SPU.

Live Results 📊 https://t.co/VmILSD9WSf
V8+ Webcast 💻 https://t.co/NnubS2PKFn#RowViks pic.twitter.com/hdjsHxANKf

- WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) March 31, 2018

ROW | The 2V8+ hits the water at 10:36 am racing against Portland and Seattle Pacific.

Here is the boat lineup:#RowViks pic.twitter.com/LMrraJ6Kkj

- WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) March 31, 2018