It’s certainly not too soon to start talking dynasty for the Western Washington University women’s rowing team.
The Vikings will be trying for their fourth straight NCAA Division II national championship this spring, something that has never been done before in any division of women’s collegiate rowing.
But then again, WWU was the first school to win three straight titles in any division.
But Western coach John Fuchs 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.”
With the return of another experienced crew in 2008, Western is expecting another successful season, which opens Saturday at the Daffodil Regatta near Tacoma.
Six rowers as well as the coxswain from the top boat return. The Vikings are led by three seniors — Metta Gilbert, Staci Reynolds and Amelia Whitcomb — who are entering their fourth year in the varsity eight.
Those three and fellow senior, Samantha Marikis, who has been in the eight the past 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, while 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, Audrey Coon and cox Kristy Theodorson.
They’re joined by junior Gina Auriemma, who was in the four at nationals last year, and sophomore Madeleine Eckmann, who was a novice rower last year but was an alternate at nationals.
The four is likely to be comprised of juniors Hilary Gastwirth, Erin Bean and Julia Munger and sophomore Heather Kelly. Gastwirth has been in the four the past two years.
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 “postseason.” Almost all of it this year will be in California at Lake Natoma near Sacramento, including the NCAA National Championships May 30 through 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.”
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 received all six first-place votes in the national preseason coaches’ poll.
SOFTBALL READY FOR BIG TEST
After two weeks off, the Western softball team should be well rested for an important weekend tournament in California.
The Vikings will play at the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Turlock. They will play five games against California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents during cross-pool play before Sunday’s championship round.
The tournament features the top teams from the West Region and every game could have postseason implications. The first NCAA Division II West Regional ratings will be released later this week, and each game could determine which teams qualify for the regional tournament.
On Friday, the Vikings meet Cal State Dominguez Hills (11:30 a.m.), Sonoma State (4 p.m.) and San Francisco State (6:15 p.m.). The Vikings wrap up the cross-pool play Saturday with morning contests against No. 17 Cal State Dominguez Hills (9 a.m.) and No. 22 Humboldt State (11:30 a.m.).