SEATTLE (Nov. 15) -- Keith Jefferson, head coach of men's and women's rowing at Seattle Pacific University the past 12 seasons, will take a leave of absence and miss the upcoming 2003 season while on active duty with the U.S Marine Corps.

Jessica Pennington, assistant to Jefferson for the past year, will serve as interim head coach. She will be assisted by Trisha Sawatzky.

Jefferson, a major in the reserves, departs Monday for a six-month hitch, beginning in Hawaii. An active member of the Marines from 1983-87, he will retire from the reserves upon his return next June.

Under Jefferson, the Falcons have emerged as a regional force in small college rowing. Both men's and women's boats have proved competitive at the national level in recent years. The women's varsity four won back-to-back Avaya Collegiate Championships in 2000 and 2001 after placing third in 1999. Sawatzky and and Kimberly Tschetter won the varsity pair title in 2002 along with the novice four. The men's four finished fifth in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association in 1995, the lightweight four was second at Dad Vail in 2000 and the novice four third in 2001.

Jefferson succeeded Jim Schultz as coordinator of both the men's and women's programs after serving two seasons as an assistant. A graduate of Bothell High School, Jefferson rowed for Seattle Pacific from 1979-83. He was a member of the light four which advanced to the semifinal at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia in 1982.