BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women’s rowing team returned to the top of the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Division II national rankings this week and maintained the top spot in the NCAA II West Region rankings.
The Vikings returned to the national No. 1 ranking in the NCAA Division II poll after a one-week hiatus. WWU has now been ranked No. 1 in four of the six national polls this season. Western is coming off a dominating performance in the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Championships (WIRA), winning the Grand Final in all three events they entered (V8+, V4+, Novice 4+). For its efforts, the Vikings were awarded the WIRA Team Efficiency Trophy and earned four of the five first-place votes.
Central Oklahoma, Florida Institute of Technology, Humboldt State and Barry University rounded out the top 5 in the national poll.
In the NCAA II West Region poll, the Vikings maintained the top spot for the third of the three regional rankings, holding the top spot in the Eight, Four and overall team categories. The regional rankings decide the field for the NCAA II Championships that will be held May 26-28 on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J.
Overall the Vikings have won 21 of 25 races this spring and are in a great position to earn another trip back to the NCAA Championships. The NCAA selection show will be held Monday, May 15 at 2 pm PT via NCAA.com. WWU is the seven-time NCAA II National Champion (2005-2011) and national runner-up three times dating back to the inaugural Division II regatta in 2002. The Vikings finished 3rd at last year’s NCAA II Championships.
The Vikings have their final tune-up of the season this weekend at the prestigious Windermere Cup in Seattle hosted by the University of Washington in Seattle. WWU is scheduled to race in the Women’s Collegiate Varsity 4+ (10:57 am), Women’s Collegiate 3rd Varsity 8+ (11:06 am) and the Women’s Cascade Cup 8+ (11:20 am).