Ellington

The Washington women’s crew team isn’t a stranger to the NCAA championship.

In fact, the Huskies are one of only three teams that have been a part of the 16-team field every single year since the NCAA began organizing the women’s national championship in 1997. Over this time span, the UW women have compiled quite the impressive resume, winning three national titles.

The Huskies’ tremendous success in rowing is something that the athletes take pride in and will use as motivation as they make the trek down to Lake Natoma, Calif., in search of their fourth championship, which starts today with preliminary heats.

“We want to represent not just the current team, but the Washington teams that have come before us as well,” captain Kerry Simmonds said. “That is really something that can help inspire us come race day.”

The UW women aren’t strangers to Lake Natoma either, where two weeks ago they competed in the Pac-10 championship. The Huskies will be looking to avenge a mediocre performance that resulted with a fifth-place finish behind rival Washington State.

The two weeks in between meets has allowed the UW to collect themselves and move past the subpar performance.

“It helps you regroup and focus, especially at this time of the year, when everyone has a lot of studying to do,” UW head women’s crew coach Bob Ernst said.

Focus might be just what the Huskies need.

This season has tended to be a roller coaster for the Huskies. They have raced extremely well at times during the year, winning the San Diego Crew Classic and easily handling Oklahoma and Cambridge at the Windermere Cup. These impressive victories have been marred by lackluster performances in a dual meet against California and the rest of the conference at the Pac-10s.

A common story throughout the season has been the high level of competition that the Pac-10 has to offer. Week in and week out, the Huskies have had to battle against the nation’s best.

Alongside the UW at the starting line will be four other Pac-10 schools, all of whom the Huskies have already raced this season.

Though Princeton and Cal are favorites to win the national title, the Huskies definitely have the skill and experience to be a dark horse this weekend.

For some of the Huskies, the NCAA championship marks the last opportunity to represent the UW as a student-athlete. Emotions will definitely be running high.

“I stand by this team; I love these girls for working so hard every day,” Simmonds said. “But I am just trying to focus on the next race and not think about the end of it just yet.”

Reach contributing writer Jake Parduhn at development@dailyuw.com.