After Friday's racing at the NCAAs, observers might not have given Western Washington a shot at the DII title; after all, the Vikings had only qualified their eight for the A-Finals.

However, on Saturday, after the Western Washington four had won the Petite, scoring valuable points for their team, the WWU Varsity stormed down the track to take the win in the eight and lock up the team title, their ninth DII title overall, and their first since 2017.

"We had a solid team returning from last year's squad," said head coach John Fuchs, now in his 26th season with the team. "They worked hard in the off-season, the fall and into winter. The younger energy was felt throughout the team, as well. At first we weren't sure if we would find the speed necessary, but mid-season things seemed to percolate.

The WWU Varsity 8+ clinched the win

Of Western Washington's 13 titles as a school, nine have come via its women's rowing team -- not a bad track record at all.

"I remember each title vividly," said Fuchs. "They are all special in their own way. Most people don't understand how difficult it is to finish on top. Some look easy, some barely squeezed out, some dramatic and overwhelming, and so on. This year was, stated mildly, an incredible accomplishment. We were maxed out. Our lone spare was in the eight for an injury suffered during practice Thursday. And after the fours finals, we need the eights final to finish in a certain order. It happened! So much excitement! The rowing from the field was exceptional, too! I felt nearly any team there could win. We are grateful and humbled it was us."

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Mercyhurst, in their final season at the DII level before transitioning to DI next year, made the best of the regatta. Ranked sixth going into the championship, the team finished second in the eight and fourth in the four to secure the runner-up spot.

"I always tell the team that the cream always rises to the top and we have to be patient and trust the program," said Mercyhurst coach Adrian Spracklen after the racing.

Mercyhurst ended their DII run as runners-up

"Being at our last championship at DII was certainly a motivator for us. We were the first team to ever win a National championship in any sport in 2004 and we would be the last to compete at a national Championship. We wanted to finish the "book" with a great read in the last chapter and it felt like we did today."

Interestingly, the winner and runner-up programs both only won a single medal on the day; third place team Central Oklahoma made the podium in third place in both the eight and the four. Of the six teams at the championships in Cincinnati this weekend, five won medals, including Seattle Pacific, who won gold in the four.

Seattle Pacific won the Four, and was one of five teams to medal across the two DII events

"DII racing has progressed so much over the last 20 years," said Mercyhurst's Spracklen. "I give credit to the great coaches and support from their administrations. Keeping a team a team focussed address the psychology of rowing and an area I enjoy. Racing is so mental and spending time with the team to train their minds as hard as their bodies is key to being a consistent performer."

The WWU team and coaches

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