SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University women's rowing team has qualified for the NCAA National Championships for the fourth consecutive season and will head to West Windsor, NJ, to compete for a national title on May 30-31.
The Falcons are coming off a fourth-place finish at last weekend's GNAC Championships. The SPU V8+ had an excellent start to its race. At the 500-meter mark, the Falcons were tied with Cal Poly Humboldt. From there, the Lumberjacks pulled away from the Falcons. SPU chased CPH and Western Washington, creating separation from UCO. The Falcons took third in the race with a time of 7:18.183.
The Falcons and Vikings went down to the wire for third place in the V4+. WWU finished in 8:08.813. The Falcons came within a few tenths of a second for third place. SPU clocked an 8:09.373.
SPU joins Cal Poly Humboldt, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Western Washington as national championships participants. All four Great Northwest Athletic Conference members have qualified for the event. Embry-Riddle and Jefferson round out the field of six teams competing at nationals.
"This year's group has worked incredibly hard, and has overcome some challenges along the way," head coach Caitlin McClain said. "I think the core group of athletes that represented us at GNACs wanted this and have been a part of the program's growth. We have a goal of winning a medal at nationals, and we have a chance to achieve that goal this year. Especially for this group of seniors who, we're all walk-ons, and so rowing wasn't even on their radar. I think that is special. It just means a lot to be able to go back again this year and put our last best race out there."
SPU senior Audrey Rekedal has a tremendous list of achievements as a member of the SPU women's rowing team. She earned the NCAA Elite 90 Award at last year's NCAA nationals. Rekedal is a three-time GNAC All-Academic team member and opened this season on the CRCA watch list. Rekedal will finish her time with the Falcons without missing an NCAA National Championships.
"I think it just shows a testament to the amount of discipline and consistency that SPU just rowing has in total, but also that I've been privileged to be a part of," Rekedal said. "I remember freshman year after going, the coaches asked, what's next? And I was like, all four years, let's do it. It is nerve-wracking, and we don't know right away if we're going to go, but I think it's just such an amazing celebration of the work that we've put in to be rewarded, to get to go to nationals. To say that I've gone four years is such a privilege, and I know I work super hard, but I think the program as a whole has just shaped me incredibly over these four years, and it's just so incredible to finish it out."
The Falcons Varsity 8+ will line up in lane four against Central Oklahoma and Western Washington. The SPU V4+ has been assigned lane two to take on Cal Poly Humboldt and Western Washington. The winner of heat one moves on to the grand final. The four boats remaining race in the repechage, with the top two advancing to the grand final. The petite finals and grand finals take place on Saturday, May 31.
"One of my goals for the program was to be a perennial powerhouse, where year after year, we are showing our speed," McClain said. "I've enjoyed helping our athletes row fast, regardless of their physical gifts or experience. We've been able to make NCAAs four years in a row. It's something I'm proud of. I'm grateful to the athletes for buying into that goal and to coach Kenzie [Waltar] and coach Gracie [Hoidal] who continue to push that level of achievement. We will keep striving for more you know in years to come. This creates a more solid foundation and continues to add to the legacy of the team and the University."
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