RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (May 1) -- All four Seattle Pacific University crew are through to the championship stage of the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships following Saturday's efforts by the women's varsity four and men's novice four at Lake Natoma.

The SPU women easily won their qualifying heat, and will now defend their WIRA title. In the men's novice race, the Falcons were a close second place to advance. Also involved in grand finals are the men's pair and the unbeaten men's lightweight four.

Seattle Pacific got off to a substantial lead in the first thousand meters of the women's varsity four category. They finished 3.9 seconds ahead of Oregon, in 8:19.7. The Ducks, Saint Mary's, UC Davis, Gonzaga and Orange Coast College will also be in the grand final.

Likewise, a strong pull at the start enabled the men's novice boat to relax over the last half of the race. Long Beach State took first in 7:00.1 and SPU was runner-up in 7:01.8.

Neither the men's pair nor the light four categories required qualifying heats.

Women's Results

• Varsity 4 (qualifying heat): 1-Seattle Pacific 8:19.7, 2-Oregon 8:23.6, 3-Colorado 8:35.9, 4-Loyola Marymount 9:19.6, 5-Chapman 9:37.3

Men's Results

• Novice 4 (qualifying heat): 1-Long Beach State 7:01.8, 2-Seattle Pacific 7:01.8, 3-Western Washington 7:08.3, 4-UC Davis 7:11.7, 5-Sonoma State 7:13.3, 6-Orange Coast 7:16.2, 7-Sacramento State 7:26.3