The Western women’s crew reasserted their position as queens of the water this weekend, claiming their fifth straight national title at the NCAA Division II rowing championship on Cooper River in Camden, N.J.

The Vikings have now rowed into uncharted waters, as no other team in any division has ever won five straight championships since the first NCAA rowing championships in 1997.

“I think the ball has just begun rolling, and it’s going to get better in these next couple years,” Western varsity four sophomore Siri Carlson said.

The victory capped off a first-ever undefeated season for the varsity eight crew, who finished first with a time of 6 minutes, 52.6 seconds.

Western’s varsity four boat placed third in Friday’s qualifying match, but they bounced back to win the last-chance qualifying heat on Saturday to earn a spot in Sunday’s grand final.

The Vikings’ varsity four boat placed second behind Nova Southeastern University in Sunday’s grand final, but managed to edge out East Coast rival Mercyhurst College by four-tenths of a second with a time of 7:57.34.

Prior to the championship, Western had been ranked No. 2 nationally in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA II Poll, behind No. 1 ranked Mercyhurst, who had last won a national title in 2004.

“I think that was our best race ever,” Carlson said. “We could not have squeezed out anything else because it is safe to say we were all exhausted after that.”

Western senior varsity eight coxswain Kristy Theodorson said maintaining a lower stroke rate is one of the reasons they won the varsity eight race.

Head coach John Fuchs said the Western team practices heavier rows and lower stroke rates in order to build a steady rhythm.

“Rowing at a higher rate can sometimes bite you in the butt,” Fuchs said. “There is more of a chance to make mistakes.”

Western trailed Mercyhurst in the first 500 meters of the varsity eight heat, but the Vikings built up enough momentum to propel them to take first by more than a boat length in the end.

“We kind of knew going into it that we might be down off the starting line,” Theodorson said. “We were prepared to have to claw our way back, like we have done all season.”

Sunday’s grand final marked the end of the collegiate rowing careers for four of Western’s crew members.

“I don’t think it has hit me quite yet,” Theodorson said. “It may not for awhile. It feels really good. It’s going to be a reality shock getting back to Bellingham.”

Western senior varsity four member Hilary Gastwirth has been along for four national rowing titles with Western. She said it has been an emotional year since she knew this year was the last.

“Right after we finished the race, I took my last stroke and just started crying,” Gastwirth said. “I was like, ‘Oh God!’ It really hit me then.”

Gastwirth said she will continue living in Bellingham next year, and she hopes to graduate after fall quarter. She said it will be fun to watch the young team next year.

“The girls had a really fast uptake,” Gastwirth said. “They came in already being really good athletes, and they adapted well to rowing. If the majority of them come back [next year], then it will be a great few years ahead.”

Half of Western’s varsity rowers this weekend were freshmen. Fuchs said while they lack experience, they are incredibly fit and fast learners.

Even though Theodorson will no longer row with the Vikings, she said she is excited for the future of the young team because she knows how talented they are.

“They are amazing athletes and tough women,” Theodorson said. “I think the team is only going to get better from here. I don’t doubt it at all.”

Be first to comment on this article

Only registered users can post comments.
Please login or register.