May 18, 1999
SAN DIEGO -
The San Diego State University women's crew team won the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship in varsity eights on Saturday, May 15 besting 23 other schools in WIRA. The next closest WIRA member school, Sacramento State University, was more than eight seconds behind. SDSU also won the WIRA title in the jv eight and novice four categories, and received the bronze medal in the varsity fours race.
The varsity eight enjoyed more success on Sunday, May 16 making its first Grand Final appearance in the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships. In the finals, the Aztecs competed against teams that were all nationally ranked which included, No.1 University of Washington, No.2 California, No.10 University of Southern California, No.12 Washington State, and No.14 Oregon State. The Aztecs finished fifth behind OSU and beating WSU by about eight seconds.
This was obviously the most successful racing season ever for SDSU's crew team.
"Capping off the season with our first ever WIRA conference championship and a win over No.12 WSU in the grand final of the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships against this level of competition is huge," said head coach Scott Steckel.
The first year as a varsity team proved to be a good one for the Aztecs. They competed well against a tough West Region, who holds seven of the top 25 national teams.
Selection for the 1999 NCAA National Championships will be held on Wednesday, May 19. The top 15 Division I and top four Division II and III varsity eights will be chosen.