LAKEWOOD, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team opened the 2019 season winning four of six races at the PLU Invitational raced on Saturday on American Lake.
The Vikings Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ each won a pair of races to account for the four wins at the season-opening Regatta matching up against Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Puget Sound.
"I thought today went pretty well and it was good to get in some competition and out of the winter doldrums," said 21st-year WWU head coach John Fuchs. "I thought everybody handled themselves well and traveled well. It was good to get into the raceday routine, and that's the design of doing something in early March. We have a long way to go, but it was a good way to start."
The V8+ won both of its races, finishing in 7:17.5 in the first race of the morning vs. UPS (7:31.3) and then closed out the day with a victory finishing the 2,000m course in 7:36.4, a 8.56 second advantage over PLU (7:45.0).
The V4+, which took home the NCAA Division II national title in 2018, also won both its races. WWU finished the first race in 8:27.0, well ahead of the PLU Novice 4 (9:59.5) and closed out the perfect day in the second race finishing in 8:49.9 for a wide margin of victory over PLU (9:38.2).
WWU's second varsity 8 crew finished 2nd in both of their races.
The Vikings won four of their six races on Saturday, with the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ sweeping their races against PLU and UPS.
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WWU at PLU INVITATIONAL
(all races 2,000 meters)
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First Session
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V8+
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1. WWU (7:17.5)
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2. UPS (7:31.3)
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V4+
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1. WWU (8:27.0)
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2. PLU Novice (9:59.5)
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2V8+
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1. UPS (7:51.7)
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2. WWU (8:00.6)
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Second Session
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V8+
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1. WWU (7:36.4)
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2. PLU (7:45.0)
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V4+
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1. WWU (8:49.9)
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2. PLU (9:38.2)
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2V8+
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1. PLU (8:10.7)
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2. WWU (8:35.7)
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3. PLU Novice (9:23.9)
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Here are the boat lineups for the season-opening regatta that was held Saturday at the PLU Invitational:
The Vikings return to action at the end of March, with the crews split up at two events. WWU will have a contingent at the Central Sprints that will be held March 29-30 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Vikings will also send a crew to the Husky Open on March 30 on Montlake Cut.
More information on the 2019 WWU Rowing season, including a details schedule, roster and quick facts can be found online at WWUVikings.com/RowViks and via social media on Twitter (@WWU_Rowing), Instagram (@wwuwomensrowing) and Facebook (@WWURowing).
WWU Rowing is one of the elite collegiate rowing programs in the country, having won 8 NCAA Division II National Championships. The Vikings won the 2017 NCAA II title and placed 2nd in 2018, and have competed in the NCAA Championships in 17 of the last 18 seasons. Western won 7 consecutive DII national championships from 2005-2011, and placed among the top three nationally each season from 2002 to 2014 with the Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ reaching the grand finals every time during this stretch.
-- #RowViks --
