Into the deep end. The rowing season enters the championship phase beginning this weekend, when Seattle Pacific University sends it’s men’s and women’s teams to the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Championships on Lake Stevens Saturday (Apr. 24). The Falcons will be joined by crews from Humboldt State, Lewis & Clark, Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Seattle University, Western Washington and Willamette. Next week, SPU goes to the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships near Sacramento.

Dare we say dynasty? Seattle Pacific is synonymous with four-oared boats within the region, and two of its crews seem to be interchangeable with the term ‘conference champion.’ The Falcons are seeking their sixth straight women’s varsity four NCRC title and the fifth women’s novice four crown in six years. The two categories are intertwined, of course. This year’s varsity four lineup features three rowers–stroke Sarah Zorn (Jr., Mercer Island, Wa./Lahser), Heidi Visser (Jr., Wenatchee, Wa.) and Andi Martineau (Jr., Superior, Mt.)– who were NCRC champs as novices in 2002 and as varsity members a year ago. SPU is also defending conference titles in the men’s lightweight four, novice four and varsity pair categories Saturday.

Same time, last year. For those who believe more is learned from a loss than a win, last week’s Blue Heron Redwood Sprints results were just the tonic for the Falcons. Two crews, the women’s varsity four and men’s novice four, were knocked from the unbeaten ranks. Contributing to the women’s third-place showing was a last-minute lineup shuffle when Martineau experienced back spasms. It marked the second straight year that the varsity has been upset on Humboldt Bay, both times by Willamette. Last season, the Falcons rebounded to beat the Bearcats at the NCRC en route to the national championship. Similarly, the men’s novice four was beaten at the Redwood Sprints in 2003 and came back to win the conference a week later.

A day at the races. Last week in Eureka, Ca., the Falcons got three wins and two silvers. The men’s lightweight four went to 3-0 by edging California by 1.67 seconds. Also taking first were the men’s and women’s junior varsity fours, each by more than a boat-length. Willamette finished 10 seconds ahead of Humboldt State and 17.7 ahead of SPU in the women’s four final. A late sprint came up short for the men’s novice four, taking second to Cal by 1.06 seconds. The men’s varsity four was also runner-up to the Golden Bears.

Last Week’s Women's Results

• Varsity 4 ­ 1-Willamette 6:15.10, 2-Humboldt State 6:25.35, 3-Seattle Pacific 6:28.3, 4-Oregon 6:39.53, 5-Mills College 6:52.03
• JV 4: 1-Seattle Pacific 6:26.08, 2-Humboldt State 6:32.12, 3-Willamette 6:39.72, 4-Mills 6:45.29

Last Week’s Men's Results

• Varsity 4: 1-California 5:22.58, 2-Seattle Pacific 5:28.10, 3-Cal Maritime 5:30.66, 4-Oregon 5:33.94, 5-Willamette 5:35.33, 6-Humboldt State 5:41.26, 7-Oregon B 6:04.53.
• JV 4: 1-Seattle Pacific 6:00.93, 2-California 6:09.16, 3-Willamette 6:12.45. Single: 1-Oregon NA, 2-Seattle Pacific NA
• Light 4: 1-Seattle Pacific 5:54.97, 2-California 5:56.64, 3-Willamette 6:10.61, 4-Cal Maritime 6:54.14
• Novice 4: 1-California 6:36.87, 2-Seattle Pacific 6:37.93, 3-Sonoma State 6:51.20, 4-Cal Maritime 7:03.83, 5-Oregon 7:07.03, 6-Willamette 7:17.03, 7-Humboldt State 7:20.70

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–Alicia Apple; 2–Elise Spencer; Bow–Laura Colby; Coxswain–Emiy Fletcher

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.
  
• 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;Cox–Kristina Richards
• Novice 4: Stroke–Phil Chase; 3–Jeremy Bryant; 2–Jason Mobley; Bow–Danny Simmons; Coxswain–Emily Fletcher

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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