SEATTLE, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team was in competition for the first time in over a full year on Saturday at the Falcon Regatta.
 
The Vikings fleet included a Varsity Eight and Varsity Four entry, racing against the University of Central Oklahoma and regatta host Seattle Pacific University on the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
 
"Overall I thought everyone rowed pretty well," said WWU head coach John Fuchs. "We rowed well, but need to get faster, but it is early in the season. I thought SPU and UCO rowed well and fast."
 
With no fall team practices on the water and limited winter and spring training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vikings were faced with a big challenge against two of the crews they raced in the 2019 NCAA Rowing Championships.
 
Western placed third in all four of its races against the Falcons and Bronchos, with a four and eight competing in each flight.
 
WWU's shortened spring schedule will continue on April 17 when the Vikings host Seattle Pacific in head-to-head action on Lake Samish.
  Here is a look at the results from Saturday's Falcon Regatta with WWU, Central Oklahoma and regatta host Seattle Pacific racing a 2,000m course on the Lake Washington Ship Canal:
 

Event	1st	2nd	3rd
First Flight
V4+	SPU (7:50.2)	UCO (7:52.7)	WWU (8:15.6)
V8+	UCO (6:53.6)	SPU (6:54.3)	WWU (7:11.5)
Second Flight
V4+	UCO (7:52.4)	SPU (7:57.6)	WWU (8:37.8)
V8+	UCO (6:51.0)	SPU (6:51.3)	WWU (7:11.4)

Other Races (non WWU):
Open Fours: 1. SPU (8:01.6); 2. UCO (8:20.3)
Novice Fours: 1. UCO (7:55.0); 2. SPU 'A' (8:01.9); 3. SPU 'B' (8:42.6)
Second Varsity Eights: 1. SPU (7:25.4); 2. UCO (7:37.1)
  Here is a look at the boat lineups for the Vikings at the Falcon Regatta:
 

V8+ (Flights 1&2) Le Mieux	V4+ (Flight 1) Mann-King	V4+ (Flight 2) Mann-King
Cox – Adele Houston	Cox – Jonah Bettger	Cox – Kiana Doyle
Stroke – Clarice Ruhlin-Hicks	Stroke – Yuki Saburi	Stroke – Yuki Saburi
7 – Maddie Bangasser	3 – Morgan MacIntyre	3 – Lindsey Froelich
6 – Jessica Smithlin	2 – Claudia Webster	2 – Claudia Webster
5 – Brenna Rice	Bow – Haley Moss	Bow – Haley Moss
4 – Lily Bjork
3 – Kristina De Koster
2 – Ella Brinkman
Bow – Carly Lant

Saturday's competition marked the first time in 385 days that the Vikings were in competition. The 2020 season barely got underway with the season-opening PLU Invitational on March 7 on American Lake before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the remainder of the season.
  WWU is scheduled to next be in action on Saturday, April 17 hosting Seattle Pacific in the Viking Regatta on Lake Samish. More details on the event will be posted closer to race day, but no fans will be permitted at the Camp Lutherwood Boathouse area.
  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference established protocol where no fans will be permitted at venues of member schools for the remainder of competitions this academic year (through May).
  More information on the WWU Rowing program, 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).
  Led by head coach John Fuchs (23^rd season), WWU Rowing has become one of the elite collegiate rowing programs in the country, having won eight NCAA Division II National Championships. The Vikings won the 2017 NCAA II title, placed 2nd in 2018 and 3rd in 2019. WWU has competed in the NCAA Championships in 18 of the last 19 seasons, taking home the gold (8 times) or silver (4 times) medal 12 times in the 18 years the NCAA Division II team title has been awarded. Western won seven consecutive DII national championships from 2005-2011. In 17 trips to the NCAA Rowing Championships dating back to 2002, WWU has had its Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ reach the grand finals every time.