May 15, 2004

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - Western Washington University placed first in the men's open four final at the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships on Saturday at Lake Natoma.

The Vikings completed the 2,000-meter course in 6:54.6. They were the only crew among the six to finish under seven minutes.

The San Diego Rowing Club was second in 7:01.1, with Washington State third (7:10.2), Humboldt State fourth (7:21.9), host Sacramento State fifth (7:29.1) and UCLA sixth (7:39.5).

Western had placed second to Sacramento State in the grand final at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships two weeks ago.

"They had a good race," said Western coach Marty Sauvage. "The San Diego crew kind of took it out on them at the beginning of the race. But they stayed aggressive through the third 500 to draw even, and then had another gear in the last 500 and just rowed away from them."

"Anytime we can get a sub-seven time, it's pretty solid ... and the course was running a little slower today."

Seated in the Vikings' shell were coxswain Kelly McComb (Sr., Bainbridge Island), stroke Joshua Griesse (Jr., Pleasant Hill, OR), No.3 Case Sweerus (So., Gig Harbor), No.2 Jonathan Fox (Jr., Shoreline/Shorewood), and bow Phil DuBois (Jr., Olympia/Capital).

"All five of those individuals worked really hard this year," Sauvage said. "They came in with the right attitude and never flinched when it came time to step up to work. They committed themselves early on, and it paid dividends.

"I'm very happy for them, especially the seniors. It's a nice way to go out."

Pacific Coast Rowing Championships

Result

O4F - 1. Western Washington 6:54.6, 2. San Diego Rowing Club 7:01.1, 3. Washington State 7:10.2, 4. Humboldt State 7:21.9, 5. Sacramento State 7:29.1, 6. UCLA 7:39.5.

WWU Lineup

Open 4 - coxswain Kelly McComb (Sr., Bainbridge Island), stroke Joshua Griesse (Jr., Pleasant Hill, OR), No.3 Case Sweerus (So., Gig Harbor), No.2 Jonathan Fox (Jr., Shoreline/Shorewood), bow Phil DuBois (Jr., Olympia/Capital).