SEATTLE - The Seattle Pacific Athletics Department congratulates track & field sprinter Robert Joshua and rowing coxswain Aleksia Haugen as this week's SPU Athletics Falcons of the Week.
 
ROBERT JOSHUA / MEN'S TRACK
WHAT HE DID: Joshua set two new school standards last Saturday at the Ralph Vernacchia Invitational in Bellingham. First, he clocked 10.70 seconds in the 100-meter dash. That broke the converted record of 10.74. Then in the 200, he flew across the finish line in 21.62 seconds. That was the fastest-ever fully automatic time in program history, bettering the old mark of 21.95.
 
QUOTABLE:  "I've never been so nervous for race besides the GNAC indoor championships," Joshua said of his thoughts before the 100. "But as soon as the gun went off, I was really determined and focused and I knew I was going to race well. Everyone was a lot older than me in that heat. But honestly, when you focus on just your race and what you can control, that's the best way to go about things."
 
ALEKSIA HAUGEN / WOMEN'S ROWING
WHAT SHE DID: Haugen guided the Varsity 8+ to its best performance of their season at the WRIA Championships last weekend. SPU clocked a 6:59.12 to finish second in Saturday's heat race. On Sunday, the Falcons squared off against Western Washington and Cal Poly Humboldt for the top spot in the grand final. The Falcons bested their heat time with a 6:58.80 and earned a bronze medal in the race.
 
QUOTABLE: "Overall the team had a strong performance at WIRAs," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "Notably, the V8+ had the best result, earning a bronze medal with a gutsy race that unlocked a new level of speed for them - beating their season-best time from the heat with a 6:58.8.  The crew had an inspiring meeting the night before the final and they all committed to the goal of striving for more. Their mentality, execution, and trust in each other was very impressive and reflected in their result."

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