Representing North Park were rowers Annika Safstrom, Heidi Rosasen, Kari Anderson, Alli Koubsky, and coxswain Erikka Treatch.
This is the third year the team has competed in the prestigious event – and the team has come away with a medal each time. North Park won the gold medal in the women’s novice four-person event in its first year as a varsity sport. Last year, the same crew earned the silver medal in the women’s varsity four-person event.
Although the team had two new rowers, the crew easily won their first heat Friday morning, advancing to the Saturday morning semi-finals. But the semi-finals proved a greater challenge for the Viking rowers.
Needing to finish in first or second place to advance, the North Park crew found itself virtually tied with West Virginia and Layfayette throughout much of the race. In the end, Layfayette won the semi-final and the Viking rowers edged out West Virginia by 1.8 seconds to advance.
“It was the closest race we’ve had all season,” comments Head Coach Tim Grant. “The women really battled to get that spot. At this race, nothing is given – everything is earned. They fought hard for the finals and they won a spot.”
After two hours of delay due to lightning, the women returned to the water for their final event. Following a solid start, the Viking crew was within striking distance of the lead, but in fifth place overall. “Sure I was worried,” admits Grant, “but I knew we had a sprint, and suddenly I heard the announcer say we were battling for third place.
“We have great leadership in this crew with a coxswain (Erikka Treatch) and a stroke (Annika Safstrom) making their third appearance here,” Grant says. “They know how to get the job done.”
In the final 500 meters, the Viking crew traded strokes with Carnegie Mellon, finally surging ahead with a powerful sprint and crossing the line to earn the bronze medal by just 1.3 seconds.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
