Gina Auriemma and her teammates on Western Washington’s varsity four rowing team did their part to help the Vikings to their third consecutive NCAA Division II national championship May 27, at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Ranked No. 1 in the country all year, the Vikings’ varsity four and eight each led from start to finish in their respective finals en route to the title.

Western’s four won by nearly two boat lengths finishing in 8 minutes, 8.72 seconds to beat out UC San Diego, which finished in 8:14.71. Nova Southeastern was third in 8:44.83.

“We took the lead early and went from there. It felt good the whole way,” said Auriemma, a sophomore from Lake Forest Park.

Western Washington became the first school in any NCAA division to win three straight rowing titles since the NCAA started a rowing championship in 1997. This was the sixth year the Division II championship was held.

“These kids are just amazing,” Western coach John Fuchs said. “With everybody coming up in the field, they just seem to find a little bit more. They seem to find what it takes to be the best.”

This was the first year on the varsity four for Auriemma. She competed on the novice four last year. The team includes coxswain Robin Fitzpatrick, Hillary Gastwirth, Katie Saelens and Jordan Tobler.

Auriemma rows in the three seat, which, along with the four seat, sets the pace for the pair that sits behind her.

“It’s a lot of timing,” she said. “When you’re in a four you can feel the people around you more than in an eight. You can feel how your stroke is impacting them.”

Auriemma, a 2005 Shorecrest graduate, competed in swimming, basketball and tennis in high school but never rowed until college.

The team members get up at 4:30 a.m. six days a week to train on the water for two hours. They also train for 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon, five days a week.

“It’s just a really great group of girls who share this great dedication,” she said. “It’s a really inviting group of people.”

“We’re just a really hard working group of girls,” Auriemma said. “It definitely shows in our success.”

That success makes them the likely favorites to repeat next year.

“I’m definitely anxious to see how we stack up next year,” she said. “I’m sure it’s going to be an equally tough year but I’m excited for it.”

Team members work out on their own during the summer before getting back together in the fall.

“End of September hits and we’re right back in it,” Auriemma said.