A freshman-heavy roster didn’t interfere with Western Washington’s bid for a fifth straight NCAA Division II Women’s Rowing team title Sunday at Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

The Vikings, who entered the regatta with nine freshmen (including alternates), amassed 18 points to claim the title. Mercyhurst finished second with 13 points, followed by Nova Southeastern with 11 and Philadelphia U. with eight.

Western Washington, ranked second nationally before the championships behind Mercyhurst in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association poll, became the first team in any division to earn five consecutive titles.

Despite falling behind Mercyhurst in the first 500 meters of the Varsity Eights grand final, the Vikings took the lead at the 1,000-meter mark and went on to cross the finish line more than a boat length ahead of the Lakers with a winning time of 6:52.60. The victory finished a perfect season for the Vikings’ I Eights crew, which won all 10 of its races during the season.

“They did exactly what they were supposed to do all year,” said Western Washington head coach John Fuchs. “Every practice, every race, they did not make any mistakes. That’s just phenomenal in itself. They went through every practice with intensity, it was almost perfect and they finished perfect.”

Nova Southeastern earned its first event win at the Division II championships after claiming the Varsity Fours grand final. The crew of four freshmen and one senior established nearly a boat-length lead within the first 500 meters of the race and maintained that advantage to finish first with a time of 7:53.64. Western Washington nipped Mercyhurst by less than a second to claim second place with a time of 7.57.34.

Team results

1. Western Washington, 18;  2. Mercyhurst, 13; 3. Nova Southeastern, 11; 4. Philadelphia U., 8.

Fours Grand Final

1. Nova Southeastern [Lauren McElhenny, Claire Kurlychek, Ashley Lofria, Jessica Sutter, Heather Clayton (coxswain)], 7.53.64; 2. Western Washington, 7:57.34; 3. Mercyhurst, 7:57.70.

II Eights Grand Final

1. Western Washington [Casey Mapes, Audrey Coon, Jean Piette, Heather Kelly, Katie Woolsey, Megan Northey, Madeleine Eckmann, Kate Berni, Kristy Theodorson (coxswain)], 6.52.60; 2. Mercyhurst, 6:57.22; 3. Seattle Pacific, 7:00.22; 4. Philadelphia U., 7:05.70.

Eights Petite Final

1. Dowling [Weronika Buszczak, Monika Zdrojewska, Agata Zieleniewska, Paulina Wojciechowska, Alison Landau, Barbara Puszkiewicz, Jessica McKenna, Alexandra Feliciano, Danielle Ohman (coxswain) ], 7:11.38; 2. Nova Southeastern, 7:16.56.