GAINESVILLE, Ga. (May 13) -- It took 23 years for Seattle Pacific University to earn its first national title in rowing but the wait for a second crown lasted just 12 months.

The Falcons successfully defended their women's varsity four title by the thinnest of margins at the Avaya Collegiate Championships on Lake Lanier Sunday afternoon. SPU led throughout the grand final but was barely able to withstand a rally by Pittsburgh to prevail by four-tenths of a second.

"If the race had lasted even one more stroke, I don't know if it would've gone in our favor," said SPU Coach Keith Jefferson. "The women say they could not have done any more, and I think they rowed a fantastic race."

Jessie Pennington (Sr., Englewood, Co./Riverview Christian), the No. 2 seat, is the only holdover from last year's championship crew. She was joined by stroke oar Kimberly Tschetter (Jr., Sioux Falls, SD/Lincoln), No. 3 seat Cayti Gibson (Sr., Blaine, Wa.) and bow oar Sandra Richards (So., Brush Prairie, Wa./Prairie). The coxswain is Lindsay Dilschneider (Fr., Yakima, Wa./West Valley).

Seattle Pacific had begun the day with a one-sided victory in the prelim, finishing with open water on Holy Cross.

The grand final was in doubt all the way, despite the Falcons going to the front. Pittsburgh stayed within striking distance before starting a late sprint over the final 250 meters of the 2000-meter course.

"It was a photo finish," said Jefferson.

SPU was timed in 7 minutes, 33.8 seconds and Pitt in 7:34.2. Mercyhurst (Pa.) was third in 7:44.1.

Jefferson's program won two medals over the weekend. On Saturday, the SPU men's novice four had finished third nationally at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.

Avaya Collegiate Championships

Women's Varsity Four Grand Final
1, Seattle Pacific, 7;33.8; 2, Pittsburgh, 7:34.2; 3, Mercyhurst, 7:44.1; 4, Holy Cross, 7;55.2; 5, Bates, 7:56.4; 6, Connecticut College, 7:56.6.