SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team heads to Gold River, Calif. this weekend for the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships where the Falcons will compete in qualifying races on Saturday for the chance to race on petite or grand finals on Sunday.
QUOTABLE
"WIRAs is our regular season championships, and our team goals for WIRAs are to have all boats in the A finals and bring the JV8+ trophy back to Seattle. WIRAs are also an important checkpoint on the way to NCAAs. At the Knecht Cup, we established that we are faster than the second-place teams in the East and South, which is essential for making the case for an at-large bid. With WIRAs this weekend and GNACs in a few weeks we are looking to be first or second in the West to be a front runner for NCAAs. We closed the gap on Central Oklahoma in the V8+ in New Jersey. We've made some big strides in both boats since then. We are hopeful for good conditions and excited to see what we can do across all four events."- head coach Caitlin McClain
CRCA NATIONAL POLL
The CRCA announced its weekly national poll every Wednesday morning. The Falcons ranked fifth in this week's edition. Great Northwest Athletic Conference members are littered throughout the poll. University of Central Oklahoma remains on top, with Cal Poly Humboldt in third, and Western Washington in sixth.
LAST TIME OUT
The Falcons made the cross-country trip to Cherry Hill, NJ to compete in the Knecht Cup on April 13 and 14. The weather changed the event schedule, canceling all of Saturday's races. The Knecht Cup was one of three regattas affected by weather that the Falcons have competed in this season.
The Knecht Cup featured six of the eight teams that are ranked in the April 8 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association poll, including No. 3 SPU. Central Oklahoma came at No. 1, with Embry-Riddle No. 5, Mercyhurst at No. 6, Thomas Jefferson at No. 7, and Barry at No. 8.
In the fours, the Falcons clocked 8:18.57. Central Oklahoma led the way in that one, finishing in 8:07.48. Embry-Riddle was close behind in 8:08.88.
The eights completed their 2,000 meters in 7 minutes, 7.95 seconds. SPU posted its best time of the season in the Varsity 8+ in that race. They hung right with second-place Mercyhurst (7:05.98) and third-place Embry-Riddle (7:06.41). Well out in front of everyone was Central Oklahoma, crossing the finish line at 6:59.67.
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