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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the first time in school history, Seattle Pacific received a team berth to compete at the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships.  The list of Division II qualifiers was announced Tuesday.

The 2010 NCAA regatta is scheduled for May 28-30 on Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

The Division II championship field consists of four teams and two additional at-large entries in the varsity eight races. Joining the Falcons in the team competition are five-time defending champion Western Washington, Florida Tech and Philadelphia University.

Along with a varsity eight, those four schools also have a varsity four crew to vie for the team title, which is determined by combining the results from the two events.

SPU is ranked No. 4 among varsity eight crews. WWU is No. 1 and Philadelphia No. 5. The two at-large varsity eights are No. 2 Mercyhurst and No. 3 Barry.

“We achieved a huge goal by getting the team bid,” said Coach Keith Jefferson. “This group has worked exceptionally hard for this.”

The Falcons will participate at the NCAA regatta for the third time, both previous appearances were made by at-large varsity eight entries. The Falcons were bronze medalists last year and won the NCAA's petite final in 2007, placing fifth overall.

SPU's top crew returns to Lake Natoma, where on May 1 they captured the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) varsity eight championship.

The Division II championships are held in conjunction with the Division I and III competitions. The Northwest will be well represented at the NCAA regatta with teams in each division. Seattle Pacific and Western Washington will be joined by Division I member Washington along with Division III competitor Puget Sound. Separate champions will be declared in each division.

SPU's varsity eight crew is directed by sophomore coxswain Annie Mulder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian). The rowers include stroke Katie Degner (Sr./Hillsboro, Ore./Glencoe), No. 7 Emily Pitts (Jr./Normandy Park, Wash.), No. 6 Eleni Johnsen (Jr./University Place, Wash./Tacoma School of the Arts), No. 5 Lauren Anderson (Jr./Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain), No. 4 Katy Stine (So./South Berwick, Maine/Portsmouth Christian Academy), No. 3 Katja Ibsen (So./Livermore, Calif./Granada), No. 2 Lacey Sheridan (Jr./Sacramento, Calif./Rio Americano) and bow Alli Agnew (Fr./Issaquah, Wash./Liberty).

The Falcons four-oared crew is coxed by junior Kristi Tamaki (Santa Barbara, Calif./San Marcos). The rowers are stroke Kristin Lorenzen (So./Beaverton, Ore./Southridge), No. 3 Dani Ferrigno (Fr./Kirkland, Wash./Lake Washington), No. 2 Belle Fritsch (Fr./Geneva, Ill./Geneva) and bow Mackenzie Oscar (So./Bellevue, Wash./The International School).

“This is really the culmination of several years, so it is kind of a sigh of relief from that perspective,” Jefferson said. “And yet it is very fun, a real joy. I'm sure everybody says this, but it really couldn't have happened to a better bunch of gals.”

Fans that plan on attending the 2010 NCAA Rowing Championships can purchase tickets in advance for the event by clicking here before May 20. After May 20 fans must purchase tickets at the Lake Natoma venue during the regatta.

For the official NCAA Rowing Championship page, including a schedule of events, detailed ticket information and directions to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, please click here.


2010 NCAA Division II Women's Rowing Championships Field
May 28-30 in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Team Qualifiers
Florida Tech
Philadelphia University
Seattle Pacific
Western Washington

At-Large Varsity Eights
Barry
Mercyhurst