WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Western Washington University women’s rowing team got off to a dominating start at the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships Friday morning on Lake Mercer, winning both of its preliminary heats in the Eights and Fours to advance directly to Sunday’s Grand Final.
The Vikings will have an off day tomorrow and return to action in Sunday’s Grand Finals to race for the program’s eighth NCAA Division II national championship. WWU is competing in its 16th NCAA Rowing Championships in the 17 years of the event, and will be looking to be back on top of the podium for the first time since 2011 when they clinched a record seventh consecutive Division II title.
“I am pleased we advanced directly to the final on Sunday. I know the team is happy with those results as well,” said 19th-year head coach John Fuchs. “The eight stayed focused in the tough conditions and the fours gritted it out too. I think all the crews were just trying to survive with the tough conditions.”
WWU’s eight-oared crew set the tone for the morning, winning the first of two heats on the 2,000-meter course in 6:42.984 to advance directly to Sunday’s Grand Final at 9:48 am ET/6:48 am PT. Mercyhurst finished 2nd five seats back of Western in 6:45.184, and defending national champion Barry was 3rd in 6:50.194. Central Oklahoma won the second heat in 6:40.984 to also advance to the Grand Final. Mercyhurst, Barry, Florida Tech and UC San Diego will race in Saturday’s repechage, with the top two finishers advancing to the Grand Final, and places 3-4 racing in Sunday’s Petite Final.
Division II – Eights
Heat 1 (WWU advances to Grand Final)
- Western Washington – 6:42.984
- Mercyhurst – 6:45.184
- Barry – 6:50.194
Heat 2 (Central Oklahoma advances to Grand Final)
- Central Oklahoma – 6:40.750
- Florida Tech – 6:42.257
- UC San Diego – 7:00.203
In the Fours, WWU raced to an open-water victory in a head-to-head matchup with Central Oklahoma. The Vikings finished in an impressive time of 7:39.344, well ahead of the Bronchos final time of 7:53.064. Like the eights, the WWU Fours have tomorrow off and then return to racing for Sunday’s Grand Final at 9:24 am ET/6:24 am PT. Mercyhurst won the second heat in 7:39.335 to advance to the Grand Final, while Central Oklahoma and UC San Diego will race in tomorrow’s repechage.
Division II – Fours
Heat 1 (WWU advances to Grand Final)
- Western Washington – 7:39.344
- Central Oklahoma – 7:53.064
Heat 2 (Mercyhurst advances to Grand Final)
- Mercyhurst – 7:39.335
- UC San Diego – 7:46.928
The Vikings are one of four Division II teams that are competing in the NCAA Rowing Championships over the Memorial Day weekend, with the Division I, II and III champions all being crowned on Sunday. The DII championships features four teams, with each fielding one boat of eight rowers and one boat of four rowers. In addition to WWU, Mercyhurst (East), Central Oklahoma (South) and UC San Diego (At-Large) are competing in the 2017 Division II National Championship, while Florida Tech and Barry are entered in just the Eight competition.
The Vikings were No. 1 in six of the eight CRCA/USRowing Coaches Polls released during the season and held the top spot in the NCAA regional rankings out of the West. Including today, WWU has won 23 of 30 races this season.
This is the third time WWU has traveled to the NCAA Championships that have been hosted on Lake Mercer, winning the national title in 2006 and placing 2nd in 2012.
— #RowViks —
