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March 24, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - After four consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships, it might seem that Western Washington University's path to chasing a national title is well set.

But there is much that is new about the Vikings in 2009, even though Western remains No.1 in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/NCAA II Preseason Poll. Gone is much of the core that helped the Vikings on their unprecedented string of national successes.

"Last year's seniors raised the bar for our program," said Western coach John Fuchs of a class that included three All-Americans. "Right now, our goal is just to get back to the national championships, because we really have no idea of what kind of speed is going to be there."

Fuchs, who is in his 11th year at Western, is a three-time CRCA NCAA II national Coach of the Year.

If the Vikings are to repeat, it might be a product of their depth. Bolstered by an impressive group of freshmen, Western could have as many as 14 rowers battling for spots in the top eight.

"It's the most competitive battle for spots I've seen," Fuchs said. "It is so tight that somebody could be in the varsity eight now and be completely out of the eight and four at the end, or visa versa."

Four seniors return, three of whom have competed at the national regatta for at least the last two years. Team captain Audrey Coon (Kenai, AK/Kenai Central) and coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Bothell/Inglemoor) have been in the varsity eight at nationals the last two years. Hilary Gastwirth (Issaquah/Liberty) is the only three-time national performer back, having been in the four the last three seasons.

Coon worked out with the Thompson Boat Center Development Camp last summer, winning gold medals in the open lightweight eight and intermediate lightweight four and a silver in the intermediate pair at the U.S. Rowing Club National Championships.

Western's other senior is Erin Bean (Lynnwood/Meadowdale), who missed last year because of injury after being an alternate in the national regatta in 2007.

Junior Madeline Eckmann (Winthrop/Liberty Bell) returns after being in the bow of the national eight last year. Another junior, Heather Kelly (Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage), was an alternate at nationals.

Two sophomores, Casey Mapes (Anchorage, AK/Service) and coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Bellevue), return after being in the national four last spring, and another sophomore, Siri Carlson (Tacoma/Franklin Pierce), is also in contention for a spot.

Fuchs is very high on a freshman class that he calls the strongest the program has ever had.

Likely possibilities to contribute from that group are Kate Berni (Silverdale/Central Kitsap), Hannah Gallagher (Seattle/Garfield), Megan Northey (Brier/King's), Carson MacPherson-Krutsky (Seattle/Garfield), Jean Piette (Vancouver/Columbia River) and Kate Woolsey (North Bend/Mount Si).

"It's a group that has a lot of athleticism," Fuchs said. "The month of April will be a real test for us, we have no idea what's going to happen because of the limited racing experience."

That April test begins with a bang, as national contenders Dowling and Rollins travel from the east coast to compete in the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Invitational at Vancouver, Wash., on April 4. It is the first time Western has faced NCAA II competition from outside the West Region during the regular season.

As always, much of May is spent in Sacramento, with the WIRA Championships on May 2-3, and the West Regional on May 16. The season culminates with the NCAA II National Championships at Camden, N.J. on May 29-31.

The Vikings open their season Saturday, competing in the Daffodil Regatta on American Lake near Tacoma.

Daffodil Regatta - American Lake - Tacoma, WA - March 28

Schedule

9 a.m. - Men's Varsity Eight
9:15 a.m. - Women's Varsity Eight
9:30 a.m. - Men's 2nd Varsity Eight
9:45 a.m. - Women's 2nd Varsity Eight
10 a.m. - Men's Novice Four
10:15 a.m. - Women's Novice Four
10:30 a.m. - Women's 2nd Novice Eight
10:45 a.m. - Women's Lightweight Four
11 a.m. - Men's Varsity Four
11:15 a.m. - Women's Varsity Four
11:30 a.m. - Men's Novice Eight
11:45 a.m. - Women's Novice Eight
12 noon - Men's 2nd Varsity Four
12:15 a.m. - Women's 2nd Varsity Four

Tentative WWU Lineups:

Varsity 8 - coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Sr., Bothell/Inglemoor), stroke Casey Mapes (So., Anchorage, AK/Service), No.7 Carson MacPherson-Krutsky (Fr., Seattle/Garfield), No.6 Jean Piette (Fr., Vancouver/Columbia River), No.5 Megan Northey (Fr., Brier/King's), No.4 Katie Woolsey (Fr., North Bend/Mount Si), No.3 Heather Kelly (Jr., Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage), No.2 Madeleine Eckmann (Jr., Winthrop/Liberty Bell), bow Audrey Coon (Sr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central)

2nd Varsity 8 - coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (So., Bellevue), stroke Hannah Gallagher (Fr., Seattle/Garfield), No.7 Siri Carlson (So., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce), No.6 Hilary Gastwirth (Sr., Issaquah/Liberty), No.5 Erin Bean (Sr., Lynnwood/Meadowdale), No.4 Jordan Uecker (Fr., Bellingham/Sehome/Whatcom CC), No.3 Nolan Winger (Fr., Bremerton/Central Kitsap), No.2 Kelsey Baker (Fr., Gig Harbor), Kate Berni (Fr., Silverdale/Central Kitsap)

3rd Varsity 8 - coxswain Kelsey McFarland (So., Tacoma/Fife), stroke Molly Blue (So., Snohomish), No.7 Britney Bachmann (So., Everett/Cascade), No.6 Katrina Ozols (So., Kodiak, AK), No.5 Sara Malone (So., Mount Vernon), No.4 Sarah Seitz (So., Olympia/Avanti), No.3 Tess Griswold (Fr., Tacoma/Stadium), No.2 Christina Frattali (Fr., Spokane/West Valley), bow Katie Sauerbrey (So., Brush Prairie/Hockinson)

Novice 8 - coxswain Alix Crilly (Fr., Wenatchee), stroke Jean Piette (Fr., Vancouver/Columbia River),, No.7 Carson MacPherson-Krutsky (Fr., Seattle/Garfield), No.6 Katie Woolsey (Fr., North Bend/Mount Si), No.5 Megan Northey (Fr., Brier/King's), No.4 Jordan Uecker (Fr., Bellingham/Sehome/Whatcom CC), No.3 Nolan Winger (Fr., Bremerton/Central Kitsap), No.2 Kelsey Baker (Fr., Gig Harbor), bow Kate Berni (Fr., Silverdale/Central Kitsap)

2nd Novice 8 - coxswain Daniella Armstrong (So., Eastsound/Orcas Island), stroke Katie Sauerbrey (So., Brush Prairie/Hockinson), No.7 Laura Mahon (Fr., Castle Rock/Mark Morris), No.6 Alyssa Dewey (Fr., Bend, OR/Mountain View), No.5 Alissa Schlecht (So., Corvallis, MT), No.4 Mariana Cains (So., Walla Walla), No.3 Mackenzie Wilson (Fr., Curlew), No.2 Bethany Park (Fr., Covington/Kentwood), bow Dani Dunlap (Fr., Seattle/Kennedy)

Varsity 4 - coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Sr., Bothell/Inglemoor), stroke Casey Mapes (So., Anchorage, AK/Service), No.3 Heather Kelly (Jr., Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage), No.2 Madeleine Eckmann (Jr., Winthrop/Liberty Bell), bow Audrey Coon (Sr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central)

2nd Varsity 4 - coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (So., Bellevue), stroke Hannah Gallagher (Fr., Seattle/Garfield), No.3 Erin Bean (Sr., Lynnwood/Meadowdale), No.2 Hilary Gastwirth (Sr., Issaquah/Liberty), bow Siri Carlson (So., Tacoma/Franklin Pierce)