Easy does it

  • John Sleeper / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, May 4, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

By John Sleeper

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – Kara Nykreim felt the sensation all rowers desperately crave but few achieve.

It was halfway into the 2,000-meter women’s Windermere Cup race Saturday when Nykreim felt all eight of her University of Washington turn it up a notch. For a euphoric 3 1/2 minutes, the top-ranked and defending national champion Huskies were rowing perfectly in sync, churning out maximum power and maybe, just maybe, cruising down the Montlake Cut as fast as they possibly could without the benefit of an Evinrude.

“It was awesome,” said Nykreim, a senior from Kirkland. “Our whole boat was in a zone. It was tunnel vision. And it felt easy.”

Washington outpaced second-place Stanford by a ridiculous 13 seconds, and the Great Britain under-23 boat by 17. The Huskies battled choppy waters and breezy conditions and finished the “race” in six minutes, 40.02 seconds, giving the screaming thousands of fans lining the Cut an idea that they have lost nothing in preparing for the Pacific-10 Championships May 19 in Sacramento, Calif., and the NCAA Championships May 31-June 2 at Indianapolis.

“We had an excellent performance,” said UW women’s coach Jan Harville, apparently given to vast understatement. “That means we prepared well. That means we’re improving. That means we’re putting ourselves in a position to put ourselves in a higher level.”

Washington crews won all 10 of the races that included a Husky boat. Just as impressive as the women’s varsity eight was the UW men’s varsity eight, which obliterated Stanford by nearly 14 seconds and an upstart shell from Beijing University by 49.

Feeling just fine about themselves one week after having upset three-time national champion Cal in the Bay Area, the Huskies opened up a two-boat-length advantage 500 meters into the race and poured it on. It was a powerful performance by a crew that coach Bob Ernst says is his best in his 15 years as head coach at Washington.

“We have just one goal in mind, and that’s the last race of the year,” said Ernst, referring to the Intercollegiate Rowing Championships May 31-June 2 at Camden, N.J.

Although Stanford and Beijing University will never be confused with Cal, Washington rowed as though it was going up against the Golden Bears. It was an awesome display of power by a physically imposing crew. Five Husky rowers are 6-foot-4 or taller and six weigh 205 pounds or more.

“When you have an opportunity to perform in front of your home crowd, we’re not holding anything back,” Ernst said.

Maybe, but it was little more than a warm-up before another meeting against Cal, a crew with six Olympians in the boat, at the Pac-10 regatta.

“It won’t mean a heck of a lot if we don’t get it done in a couple weeks at the Pac-10s,” UW rower Chris Hawkins said.

Washington men’s and women’s junior varsity eights swept the Dick Erickson Memorial Cascade Cup races, named after the longtime Husky coach who died July 2001.

Australian Duncan Free defeated 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Xeno Muller in the Windermere Challenge Cup, a match race between two of the best scullers in the world. Free won by more than six seconds.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.