May 23, 2007

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

by WENDY CARPENTER, Sports Department, The Tacoma News Tribune

John Fuchs has logged a lot of miles for the Western Washington University women's crew team this season.

More than 10,000 miles, in fact.

That's because Fuchs, a Bellarmine Prep graduate who is in his ninth season as the Vikings' coach, has driven the boats to every regatta. His final trip will be to Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn., this weekend, when Western, the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University and the University of Puget Sound will compete in the NCAA women's rowing championships.

"The NCAA wants people to carpool as much as we can," Fuchs said. "And in our case, that means taking the boats. I'm taking our boats, as well as the boats for UPS and SPU. On the way home, I will also carry UW's boats. I prefer to trailer the boats myself - I'm kind of a control freak."

His longest trip before nationals had been to Sacramento, where the Vikings competed three times this season.

"I actually enjoy driving," Fuchs said. "It gives me a chance to see different parts of the country."

The success of Western's program has given Fuchs ample time to do that. Western, which has been ranked No. 1 nationally in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA poll all season, is competing for its third consecutive Division II title.

The Vikings will face Nova Southeastern (Fla.), Dowling College (N.Y.) and UC San Diego for the team title. Florida Tech and SPU received at-large berths in the varsity eight competition, though neither are eligible for the team title.

The Loggers are making their fifth consecutive trip to nationals after finishing sixth last season. They will face Bates, Ithaca, Trinity (Conn.), Williams and William Smith for the team title.

Washington earned an at-large bid to the 12-team Division I championships, and is one of two schools to receive team invitations to all 11 championships since the NCAA began sponsoring women's rowing in 1997.

The UPS and UW men's teams will compete at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) regatta May 30-June 2 on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill, N.J. It's the Loggers' first trip to nationals.

Week in review

University of Puget Sound: Sophomore Sarah Armstrong was named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association first-team All-American, and sophomores Taylor Anderson and Larissa Keeler and juniors Emma Green and Nicola Onnis were named CRCA Scholar-Athletes.

Pacific Lutheran University: Four athletes will compete at the NCAA Division III national track and field championships at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh from Thursday to Saturday, including hammer thrower Taylor Hacker, a sophomore out of Gig Harbor High.

Western Washington University: Senior Lindsay Mann-King and junior Staci Reynolds were named to the CRCA Division II Women's Rowing All-America team. Audrey Coon and Gina Auriemma were named National Scholar-Athletes by the CRCA. ... Four athletes will compete at the Division II outdoor national championships Thursday-Saturday in Charlotte, N.C..

Central Washington University: Jamie Nilsen, out of Thomas Jefferson High, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference player of the year. ... Nine athletes will compete at the NCAA Division II outdoor national championships, including senior Michael Ingman out of Capital High (javelin) and junior Sarah Benson out of Kentridge High (3,000-meter steeplechase).

Eastern Washington University: Six athletes will compete at the West Regional track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., on Friday and Saturday.

University of Washington: Cara Troelstra was named to the CRCA All-Region first team. ... The Huskies will compete at the West Regional championships this weekend for a chance to advance to the outdoor track and field championships in Sacramento, June 6-9.

Seattle Pacific University: Jessica Pixler (1,500 meters, 800), NyEma Sims (200, 100) and Jane Larson (3000), Brittany Bekins (heptathlon, javelin), Karin Rohde (steeplechase), Molly Barnes (javelin), Teona Perkins (high jump) and Eddie Strickler (800) will compete at the Division II track and field championships this weekend.

Washington State University: Sarah Waterfield was named to the CRCA All-Region first team.

NORTHWEST FOCUS

Players of the week: Pacific Lutheran University senior Joe DiPietro, who helped lead the Lutes to a Northwest Conference championship and their first NCAA Division III tournament appearance when they made it to the West Region final last week, earned American Baseball Coaches Association All-West Region first-team honors.

Event of the week: The University of Washington softball team advanced to its third consecutive Super Regional and will play host to Alabama in a best-of-three series at Husky Softball Stadium. The first game is 3:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a game at noon Saturday. If necessary, there will be a third and deciding game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner of the series advances to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 31-June 6.

Wendy Carpenter: 253-597-8680