Photo galleries

Viking women win fourth straight rowing championship

The Western Washington University women's rowing team won an unprecedented fourth straight national title at the seventh annual NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 at the Sacramento Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma.

For more information, click here.

Members of the WWU varsity women's four prepare for the championship race Sunday morning, June 1, on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of Angie Rosillo

The WWU women's four rows to victory during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU varsity women's eight carry their rowing shell in the water during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 2 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of Angie Rosillo

Members of the WWU women's eight powered their shell to victory during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Western won by more than 13 seconds in the 2,000-meter race. Photo courtesy of the NCAA

Fans watch the WWU women's eight cruise to victory during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU women's eight celebrate after grabbing first place in the championship race on June 1. Western won by more than 13 seconds in the 2,000-meter race. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU varsity women's crew team celebrate after winning their final race during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of the NCAA

Members of the WWU varsity women's crew team hug after clinching the national title during the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of Angie Rosillo

Varsity eight coxswain Kristy Theodorson hugs Metta Gilbert, who rows on the eight in seat No. 7, after the eight won its race at the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of the NCAA

Members of the WWU women's four stand with their national championship trophy -- the team's fourth in a row -- June 1. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU women's eight stand with their national championship trophy -- the team's fourth in a row -- June 1. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU women's crew team celebrate with their national championship trophy after earning the school's fourth consecutive NCAA II women's rowing title. Photo courtesy of Dan Lepse

Members of the WWU women's crew team hold up four fingers -- one for each national title the team has won in the past four years -- at the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of Angie Rosillo

Members of the WWU women's crew team flex their muscles -- hours after flexing them in the water on the way to the team's fourth-straight national title -- at the NCAA Division II National Women's Rowing Championships June 1 on Lake Natoma in California. Photo courtesy of the NCAA

Seated in Western's eight were coxswain Kristy Theodorson (Jr., Bothell/Inglemoor), stroke Staci Reynolds (Vancouver/Columbia River), No.7 Metta Gilbert (Helena, MT), No.6 Meghan Woodman (Jr., Redmond), No.5 Gina Auriemma (Jr., Lake Forest Park/Shorecrest), No.4 Samantha Marikis (Republic), No.3 Amelia Whitcomb (Spokane/Ferris), No.2 Audrey Coon (Jr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central) and bow Madeleine Eckmann (So., Winthrop/Liberty Bell).

Seated in the Vikings' four were coxswain Samantha Oberholzer (Fr., Bellevue), stroke Katie Tipton (Fr., Snohomish), No.3 Casey Mapes (Fr., Anchorage, AK/Service), No.2 Julia Munger (Jr., Palmer, AK/Colony) and bow Hilary Gastwirth (Jr., Issaquah/Liberty). The two alternates were Heidi Hoff (Jr., Seattle/Roosevelt) and Heather Kelly (So., Bird Creek, AK/South Anchorage). The head coach is John Fuchs, and the assistant is Karla Landis.