GOLD RIVER — Humboldt State's rowing season has likely ended, but not before the Lumberjacks pushed their rivals to the limits at the unofficial NCAA Division II West Regional held Saturday in conjunction with the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships on Lake Natoma.
Western Washington, the dominiant program all season, swept both the varsity eight and varsity four races, with Humboldt State a close second and closing. The Lumberjacks put together two of their best races of the year, but will probably be left out when the postseason bids are awarded.
The official announcement of the NCAA II championship field will be made Tuesday. The field will consist of four teams (varsity eight and varsity four) and two at-large varsity eight entries. The eighth annual NCAA II National Championships takes place May 29-31 on Cooper River in Camden, New Jersey.
Trying to prove themselves worthy of an at-large bid, the Jacks needed in the very least to upset the Vikings, who are a lock for the postseason. Unfortunately, the team the Jacks are chasing for the qualifying spot, Seattle Pacific, opted to not participate Saturday, taking away any head-to-head comparisons.
"It was gratifying to see our rowers put everything into their races today despite the absence of Seattle Pacific," HSU head coach Robin Meiggs said. "This has been a great season. They were able to finish with their best performance."
In the women's varsity eight race, the Lumberjacks pulled a time of 7 minutes, 5.7 seconds to finish second behind WWU's 6:46.4 on the 2,000-meter course. UC San Diego took third with a time of 7:16.6.
HSU was even closer in the versity four event, finising a mere two boat lengths behind the Vikings. Weatern Washington completed the course in 7.44.9, HSU was second in 7:54.0, and UC San Diego trailed at 8:04.2.
NCAA Division II West Regional - Pacific Coast Rowing Championships
Gold River, Calif. - Lake Natoma - Sacramento State Aquatic Center
Varsity 8 - 1. Western Washington 6:46.4, 2. Humboldt State 7:05.7, 3. UC San Diego 7:16.6
Varsity 4 - 1. Western Washington 7:44.9, 2. Humboldt State 7:54.0, 3. UC San Diego 8:04.2