March 22, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The streak has been amazing. Three straight NCAA Division II National Championships for the Western Washington University women's rowing team, a feat never accomplished before in any division.

But Western coach John Fuchs (10th year) isn't looking back. In fact, he isn't looking all that far ahead, at least not past the national championship regatta at the end of May.

"To think about what happens in the future or what happened in the past isn't our approach," Fuchs said. "This is the only year that matters."

The likelihood of a successful year is enhanced by the experience of the 2008 crew. Six rowers as well as the coxswain from the top boat return, led by three seniors, who are entering their fourth year in the varsity eight.

Those seniors - Metta Gilbert (Helena, MT), Staci Reynolds (Vancouver/Columbia River) and Amelia Whitcomb (Spokane/Ferris) - and a fourth senior, Samantha Marikis (Republic), who has been in the eight the last two years after being in the four as a freshman, have a unique opportunity to complete their careers as four-time national champions. Reynolds was a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American last year. Gilbert will serve as team captain.

"The seniors have laid the foundation and taken the program to the next level," said Fuchs. "They've upped the ante for everyone."

The other returnees in the varsity eight are juniors - Meghan Woodman (Redmond), Audrey Coon (Kenai, AK/Kenai Central) and cox Kristy Theodorson (Bothell/Inglemoor). They're joined by junior Gina Auriemma (Lake Forest Park/Shorecrest), who was in the four at nationals last year, and sophomore Madeleine Eckmann (Winthrop/Liberty Bell), who was a novice rower last year but was an alternate at nationals. Auriemma and Coon were 2007 CRCA National Scholar-Athletes.

As in past seasons, Western will use two eights early in the season before going to the eight and four format used at nationals. The four is likely to be comprised of junior Hilary Gastwirth (Issaquah/Liberty), who has been in the four the last two years, two members of last year's junior varsity eight - juniors Erin Bean (Lynnwood/Meadowdale) and Julia Munger (Palmer, AK/Colony), and sophomore Heather Kelly (Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage). Bean was a national alternate last year.

Joining them in the junior varsity eight are sophomore Miranda Steward (Kenmore/Inglemoor), a novice rower last spring, and three newcomers - junior Heidi Hoff (Seattle/Roosevelt) and freshmen Casey Mapes (Anchorage, AK/Service) and Katie Tipton (Snohomish). Tipton has experience with the Everett Rowing Club, and freshman coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Bellevue) was with the Sammamish Rowing Club.

Fuchs describes Western's schedule as being in two parts. The early portion of the season, primarily against Northwest competition, is a time for tinkering and refining. The last half, in May, is the "post-season." Almost all of it this year will be in California at Lake Natoma near Sacramento, including the NCAA National Championships on May 30-June 1.

"We slim down the active roster, really concentrate on getting into peak racing form," Fuchs said. "It's all in Sacramento, which is like a home course for us. The kids have a routine there, they know the lake, and we get to leave home later than we would (if nationals were back east), which is nice."

The California swing begins with the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association championships on May 5-6. Two weeks later, it's the NCAA II West Regional and the PAC-10 championships, and two weeks after that, the national championships.

The key step in reaching the final hurdle of nationals is the regional regatta May 17. A victory there isn't a guarantee of a national berth, but it is the most significant factor. Four schools earn full national berths, one from each of three regions, and one at-large spot.

Fuchs said the level of competition of NCAA II rowing continues to rise rapidly.

"Most of the successful programs are returning a lot of kids this year," he said. "I expect faster speeds out of everyone, every year. Division II is only in its seventh year of a championship. It's going to continue to progress quickly for awhile."

Western, which received all six first-place votes in the national preseason coaches poll, opens its season Saturday at the Daffodil Regatta on American Lake near Tacoma.