A first-place finish in the women’s junior varsity (JV) four race highlighted a Saturday trip to Vancouver Lake for the SPU crew team.

Led by the JV four boat, the Falcons finished third as a team at the National Collegiate Rowing Conference Invitational Regatta.

Members of the team spent the weekend split between Palo Alto, Calif., Salem, Ore., and Tacoma, setting and improving national qualifying marks.

Senior gymnast Christie Chinaka does not have to shout to be heard.

At a recent practice in Royal Brougham Pavilion, Chinaka spent much of her practice time on the balance beam, for which she won All-America honors in 2007. On one particular routine, Chinaka lost ...