ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst College women's rowing team earned a bid to the 2009 NCAA II National Championship, as announced by the Association this afternoon.

The Lakers are one of four teams and two at-large varsity eight boats selected to the national championship.  Joining the Lakers will be Nova Southeastern, Philadelphia and four-time defending natinoal champion Western Washington.

The at-large berths went to Dowling and Seattle Pacific.

All three divisions will compete at the national championship, hosted by Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 30 - June 1.

"I'm not really surprised," said Alicia Peterson, who sits in the sixth position on the varsity eight unit.  "We worked really hard this year and its paid off it previous races.  We're really excited to prove ourselves one more time." 

The Lakers will get that chance against four teams they previously downed in competition, including a regatta at Findley Lake that featured then-ranked No. 3 Dowling and No. 4 Philadelphia. 

"Four of the six teams there we already beat," added Leah Niecgorski, the tempo-setter for the varsity eight.  "So four down, one to go."

Mercyhurst has been the top-ranked unit in Division II for five consecutive weeks, beginning on April 15, 2009.  The Lakers should be the favorite heading into the national championship as they look to claim their second national championship and first since 2004.

The Lakers have been doing plenty of winning this year, especially when it counts.  At the Dad Vail Regatta, the women's varsity eight became the first eight-boat win gold in the 40-plus history of Mercyhurst rowing as they defeated teams such as Grand Valley, Dowling, Seattle Pacific and Rochester.

"We've been ranked number one since our first race so we want to keep it going," said Alexandria Bogart.