By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
LAKEWOOD, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's rowing team opened the 2026 season with a successful showing at the PLU Invitational on American Lake.
WWU made its debut with five boats in competition on Saturday morning, winning three races.
"The PLU Invite is always a great event and an important opportunity for early-season racing for our program," said WWU head coach Courtney Moeller. "We're really proud of how our team handled the rough conditions today. It was a valuable experience for all our crews, and they showed a lot of composure and competitiveness."
The Vikings featured Varsity 8+ lineup opened the race schedule defeating GNAC foe Seattle Pacific in a head-to-head battle, clocking 7:04.5 on the 2,000-meter course for nearly a three-second victory over the Falcons (7:07.1). Western's second Varsity 8+ also earned a victory in their race against the University of Oregon club program in a time of 7:48.6. SPU edge the Vikings (8:17.1) in the Varsity 4+ race to close out the morning session.
In the second session the Vikings shifted their lineups to gain valuable early-season experience, with the Varsity 8+ finishing second behind SPU. The second Varsity 8+ recorded its second victory clocking a time of 7:57.3 for two-second win over SPU. The second running of the Varsity 4+ was canceled due to inclement weather and race conditions on American Lake.
The Vikings are back in action March 21 competing in the Falcon Regatta on the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The complete 2026 WWU rowing schedule can be found online at WWUVikings.com.
Here is a look at results from WWU's races at the season-opening PLU Invitational:
|
Event
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
|
First Session
|
|
V8+
|
WWU
(7:04.5)
|
Seattle Pacific
(7:07.1)
|
---
|
|
2V8+
|
WWU
(7:48.6)
|
Oregon
(8:31.6)
|
---
|
|
V4+
|
SPU
(8:15.5)
|
WWU
(8:17.1)
|
Oregon
(9:16.5)
|
|
Second Session
|
|
V8+
|
SPU
(7:06.7)
|
WWU
(7:12.9)
|
---
|
|
2V8+
|
WWU
(7:57.3)
|
SPU
(7:59.4)
|
---
|
Here is a look at the lineups for the Vikings at the PLU Invitational:
CRCA PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Here is a look at the 2026 CRCA Preseason Poll with the Vikings checking in at No. 3 in the rankings:
|
Rank
|
Team
|
|
1.
|
Embry-Riddle (FL)
|
|
2.
|
Cal Poly Humboldt
|
|
3.
|
Western Washington
|
|
4.
|
Seattle Pacific
|
|
5.
|
Central Oklahoma
|
|
6.
|
Rollins
|
|
7.
|
Barry
|
|
8.
|
Nova Southeastern
|
WWU Rowing is one of the elite collegiate rowing programs in the country across all divisions, having won nine NCAA Division II National Championships. The Vikings won the 2024 NCAA II National title, the 2017 title, placed 2nd in 2018, 3rd in 2019 and runner-up in 2022. WWU has competed in the NCAA Championships in 21 of the 23 NCAA Division II national regattas, taking home the gold (9 times), silver (5 times) and bronze (6) medal 20 times in the 23 years the NCAA Division II team title has been awarded, and reached the podium 20 times. Western won seven consecutive DII national championships from 2005-2011.
WWU Rowing Inside the Numbers:
21 – NCAA II Rowing Championship Appearances (out of 23)
16 – Individual Championships (Eights-7, Fours-9)
9 – National Championships (2005-11, 2017, 2024)
6 – 3rd Place Finishes at Nationals
5 – National Runner-Up Finishes
2 – GNAC Championships (in 5-year history of event)
