
Lucy (left) and Sophie Sandahl, hanging out with the parental units. (Photo courtesy Jeannie Sandahl)
They went for one final early morning row.
Coupeville sisters Sophie and Lucy Sandahl were in the boat Saturday at the crack of dawn, competing in New Jersey at the NCAA D-II women’s rowing championships.
Their Seattle Pacific University varsity 4+ boat, which finished 2nd in a pair of races Friday, claimed 4th place in the grand finale, with Humboldt State edging Central Oklahoma for the title.
Sophie, a senior making her final appearance as a member of the SPU crew, was in the first seat, while Lucy, a junior, was coxswain for the Falcons.
The Seattle Pacific varsity 8+ boat finished 3rd in its championship race.
The weekend performance, with the Sandahl sisters and company competing on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, caps a strong season for the Falcon crew program.
Sophie, who has majored in art history, with a minor in museum studies, and Lucy, who is studying physiology, were both named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic team this spring.
Their time in the water with SPU has been an extension of athletic careers which blossomed on Whidbey Island.
After moving to Coupeville from South Carolina, Lucy played volleyball and competed in track and field at CHS, while Sophie swam for Oak Harbor High School.