RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (Apr. 28) ­ Seattle Pacific University won its opening heat and advanced to the women's varsity eight grand final along with the men's varsity four Saturday at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships on Lake Natoma.

The Falcon eight overcame a tentative start to pass Pacific Lutheran and prevail by a half-length in 7 minutes, 10.9 seconds. SPU will face UC San Diego, Long Beach State, PLU, Orange Coast, Sonoma State and Arizona State in Sunday's final.

Seattle Pacific held the lead for much of the varsity men's qualifying heat, but Western Washington won by 2 seconds with a late sprint. Still, the Falcons posted the third-fastest time of the three heats. They will be joined by Western, Washington State, UC Santa Barbara, Puget Sound and Orange Coast in the championship heat.

• Women's Varsity 8
  Heat 1: 1-UC San Diego 6:54.9, 2-Long Beach State 7:08.1, 3-Sonoma State and Arizona State 7:16.9
  Heat 2: 1-Seattle Pacific 7:10.9, 2-Pacific Lutheran 7:13.9, 3-Orange Coast 7:15.1, 4-Humboldt State 7:18.3, 5-Chapman 7:21.4, 6-Willamette 7:25.8
• Men's Varsity 4
  Heat 1: 1-Western Washington 6:58.5, 2-Seattle Pacific 7:00.5, 3-Santa Clara 7:11.9, 4-Sonoma State 7:37.5, 5-Portland 7:56.8
  Heat 2: 1-Washington State 6:59.5, 2-UC Santa Barbara 7:02.0, 3-San Diego State 7:07.8, 4-Loyola Marymount 7:10.2
  Heat 3: 1-Puget Sound 6:55.2, 2-Orange Coast 7:04.1, 3-Gonzaga 7:11.2, 4-Humboldt State 7:19.7, 5-Pacific Lutheran 7:28.9, 6-Long Beach State 7:53.1