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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (May 26) ­ A second-half comeback came up just short for Seattle Pacific University's varsity eight as they finished third in Saturday's repechage at the NCAA Division II Women's Rowing Championships on Melton Hill Lake.

Needing to finish among the top two boats, the Falcons crossed the line seats behind second-place Nova Southeastern.

The Floridians and heat winner UC San Diego advanced to the varsity eight grand final. SPU and Florida Tech, which was fourth, will be matched in Sunday's petite final.

"To a person, our crew all said they rowed better than ever before," said coach Keith Jefferson. "But it's disappointing when you're best doesn't equal the outcome you want."

UCSD quickly moved in front, with Nova close behind. By halfway through the race, the Falcons were down a boat-length to Nova.

Surging into the sprint, Seattle Pacific closed the gap to four, then to two seats before running out of time in the end. UC San Diego won in 6 minutes, 59.30 seconds. Nova was next in 7:06.22, followed by SPU (7:08.37) and Florida Tech (7:16.55).

"We made a huge charge," Jefferson said. "The question is whether we could've started stronger. Still, we're very positive."

Western Washington and Dowling (N.Y.) await UCSD and Nova in the grand final.

"Our goal now is to win our heat and see how our time compares to Nova in the grand final," Jefferson said. "We've reached our zenith at the right time, and we want to do it one more time."

The Seattle Pacific lineup: stroke-Rachel Savage (So., Encinitas, Ca/San Dieguito), 7-Katie Wolff (Jr., Bridgewater, Vt./Mid Vermont Christian), 6-Amy Burns (So., Palm Springs, Ca./Desert Chapel), 5-Rachel Strand (Sr., Shoreline, Wa./King's), 4-Kay Chikos (Fr., Renton, Wa./Kentridge), 3-Erin Arkin (Fr., Tacoma, Wa./Academy Northwest), 2-Melissa Blevins (Fr., Walla Walla, Wa.), bow-Katie Wilner (So., Everett, Wa./Everett), coxswain-Megan Giske (Sr., Gig Harbor, Wa./Gig Harbor). Alternates­ Denise Filley (Fr., Mesa, Az./Dobson) and Heather Waggoner (Fr., Sandy, Or./Mount Si).

NCAA Div. II Varsity Eights Repechage 1- UC San Diego 6:59.30, 2-Nova Southeastern 7:06.22, 3-Seattle Pacific 7:08.37, 4-Florida Tech 7:16.55