GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team had both of its crews advance to Sunday's Grand Final following a solid first day of competition at the WIRA Championships on Lake Natoma.
Won Varsity 8+ in the second heat by one boat length of open water, clocking 6:57.535 on the 2,000-meter course to advance directly to Sunday's Grand Final. Seattle Pacific was 2nd in 7:03.107 and UC Santa Barbara was 3rd in 7:16.638. The grand final will feature WWU, SPU and Cal Poly Humboldt in a preview of the GNAC Championships slated to begin at 8:40 am.
The Varsity 4+ placed 3rd in its heat behind NCAA Division I club programs Washington State and Oregon, clocking a time of 8:25.064. WWU will race in the six-team Grand Final at 10:40 am Sunday.
Here is a look at the races WWU will compete in, including the heat results from Saturday's races and the schedule for Sunday's Grand Final:
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Saturday, April 30
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Varsity Eight DII/DIII/Club (top 3 advance to Grand Final)
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Heat I
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1. Cal Poly Humboldt (7:03.261), 2. UC Irvine (7:11.253), 3. PLU (7:15.706)
4. UC Davis (7:20.198), 5. Lewis & Clark (7:29.222)
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Heat II
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1. Western Washington (6:57.535), 2. Seattle Pacific (7:03.107), 3. UC Santa Barbara (7:16.638)
4. UPS (7:29.195), 5. Oregon (7:58.506)
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Varsity Four DII/DIII/Club (top 3 advance to Grand Final)
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Heat I
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1. Washington State (8:12.649), 2. Oregon (8:24.162), 3. Western Washington (8:25.064), 4. PLU (8:43.041)
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Heat II
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1. Seattle Pacific (8:09.732), 2. Cal Poly Humboldt (8:21.698), 3. UC Santa Barbara (8:31.784), 4. UC Irvine (8:45.438)
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Sunday, May 1
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Varsity Eight DII/DIII/Club – Petite Final
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8:30 am
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1-UC Davis, 2-UPS, 3-Lewis & Clark, 4-Oregon
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Varsity Eight DII/DIII/Club – Grand Final
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8:40 am
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1-Cal Poly Humboldt, 2-Western Washington, 3-UC Irvine, 4-Seattle Pacific, 5-PLU, 6-UC Santa Barbara
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Varsity Four DII/DIII/Club – Petite Final
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10:30 am
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1-PLU, 2-UC Irvine
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Varsity Four DII/DIII/Club – Grand Final
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10:40 am
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1-Washington State, 2-Seattle Pacific, 3-Oregon, 4-Cal Poly Humboldt, 5-Western Washington, 6-UC Santa Barbara
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Here are the crew lineups that raced for WWU in Saturday's heat races at the WIRA Championships:
The Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) is a western regional organization with membership comprised of 40 rowing programs at all division levels, and representing colleges and universities in five western states. WIRA includes nearly every rowing program in the West outside of the Pac-12 Conference.
The WIRA Championships will again feature a live webcast and live results for fans to follow online:
OPENING DAY UP NEXT FOR VIKINGS
Following the WIRA Championships on Sunday, WWU will next be in action on Saturday, May 7 in the Opening Day Regatta as part of the 36th Annual Windermere Cup on the Montlake Cut in Seattle. The annual regatta hosted by the University of Washington celebrates the opening of boating season in the Northwest. More information on the 2022 Windermere Cup can be found online at windermerecup.withwre.com.
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 (24th season), WWU Rowing is 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 21 seasons, taking home the gold (8 times) or silver (4 times) medal 12 times in the 19 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.
