Salem trials. Seattle Pacific University’s crews will switch from calm lake waters to the sometimes tricky currents of the Willamette River Saturday (Apr. 10) at the Governor’s Cup in Salem. Another contrast will be the smaller fields as the Falcons face two- and three-boat races against the likes of Lewis & Clark, Humboldt State and host Willamette. Next week the Falcons venture to Eureka, Ca., for the final precursor to the conference championships, the Blue Heron Redwood Sprints.

It could be swell. If the past is a predictor, this could be a sweet Easter weekend for the Falcons. All five boats–the women’s varsity and junior varsity fours, and the men’s varsity, lightweight and JV fours–have beaten their opposition at least once already this season. The women’s four remains undefeated in three outings (average magin of 19 seconds) and has won 11 of 13, dating back to last season.

Taking 3 at NCRC. In perhaps a preview of the conference regatta to come later this month, the Seattle Pacific fleet fared well at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Invitational last week on Vancouver Lake. The Falcons claimed three titles, including the women’s varsity four and men’s lightweight and novice fours in ideal conditions. Many of the same teams will meet again Apr. 24 for the NCRC Championships in Lake Stevens. SPU won its third straight women’s four race and once again did so with a decisive sprint to prevail by 16 seconds over Oregon. The junior varsity four, losing the lead in the last 250 meters, was third behind Orange Coast and Puget Sound. Racing in an exclusively lightweight field, the Seattle Pacific men measured their first win, finishing more than a boat-length in front of Willamette. The same crew was satisfying second place in the varsity four category. Meanwhile, the junior varsity four, in its first race as a crew, pulled within 2.1 seconds of UPS. The novices show NCRC title potential, beating Lewis & Clark by two lengths.

Last week’s Women's results

• Varsity 4: 1-Seattle Pacific 7:38.8, 2-Oregon 7:54.2, 3-Portland 8:04.1, 4-UC San Diego 8:16.5, 5-Pacific Lutheran 8:30.4, 6-Mills 8:37.1
• Junior Varsity 4: 1-Orange Coast 7:59.3, 2- Puget Sound 8:01.5, 3-Seattle Pacific 8:04.4, 4-Humboldt State 8:37.3, 5-Portland 8:44.8, 6-Lewis & Clark 8:58.8

Last week’s Men's results

• Varsity 4: 1- Puget Sound 6:53.5, 2-Seattle Pacific 6:58.9, 3-Lewis & Clark 7:02.9, 4-Willamette 7:11.5, 5-Portland 7:18.0
• Light 4: 1-Seattle Pacific 7:00.4, 2-Willamette 7:07.9, 3-Puget Sound 7:08.8
• Novice 4 (Final): 1-Seattle Pacific 7:10.9, 2-Lewis & Clark 7:19.3, 3-Willamette 7:24.1, 4-Western Washington 7:25.3, 5-Puget Sound 7:49.5, 6-Portland State 8:06.0
• Junior Varsity 4: 1-Puget Sound 7:03.4, 2-Seattle Pacific 7:05.5, 3-Puget Sound B 7:10.5, 4-Lewis & Clark 7:25.7, 5-Western Washington 7:26.0, 6-Portland 7:29.5, 7-Oregon 7:45.7

Women’s lineups.
Varsity 4: Stroke–Sarah Zorn; 3–Andi Martineau; 2–Heidi Visser; Bow–Carly Bollen; Coxswain–Joanna Hodgkiss.
Junior Varsity 4: Stroke–Megan Sweeney; 3–Elise Spencer; 2–Alicia Apple; Bow–Laura Colby; Coxswain–Sue Weiseth

Men’s lineups.
Varsity 4: Stroke–Joel Braman; 3–Trevor Winters; 2–David Stalsbroten; Bow–Ryan Suess; Cox–Emily Thomas.
Varsity Light 4: Stroke–Joel Braman; 3–Trevor Winters; 2–David Stalsbroten; Bow–Ryan Suess; Cox–Emily Thomas.
Novice 4: Stroke–Phil Chase; 3–Jeremy Bryant; 2–Jason Mobley; Bow–Danny Simmons; Coxswain–Emily Fletcher
Varsity Light 4: Stroke–Joel Braman; 3–Trevor Winters; 2–David Stalsbroten; Bow–Ryan Suess; Cox–Emily Thomas. Varsity Pair: Stroke–Dave Carson; Bow–John Paul Ramirez.
Junior Varsity 4: Stroke–Dave Carson; 3–Jeremy Bryant; 2–Jason Mobley; Bow–John Paul Ramirez; Coxswain–Kristina Richards

SPU Coaches. Keith Jefferson has steered Seattle Pacific University into uncharted waters in national prominence during his 13-year tenure as head coach. In the past five years alone, Jefferson’s Falcons have claimed national titles in six events, medaled in four others and won regional crowns in eight. A past oarsman, alumnus and assistant coach, Jefferson became the fifth head coach at Seattle Pacific University in the fall of 1990. In 2003 he took a leave of absence after being called up to active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. A lieutenant colonel in the reserves, Jefferson was an active member of the Marines from 1983-87. Jefferson succeeded Jim Schultz as coordinator of the program 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. Keith and his wife Lori have a son, Randy, and reside in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle. Jessica Pennington served as interim head coach in 2003 and returns as an assistant for her third season. Pennington was oarsman of the year and an all-region selection as a senior in 2001 when she rowed in the national title varsity four.

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