May 4, 1999
SAN DIEGO -
The No. 21 San Diego State University's women's crew team competed in two separate events April 24-25.
The varsity eight team traveled to Seattle, Wash. to take on No.3 California and No.10 Washington State. The Aztecs finished third to both teams; Cal 6:32.7, WSU 6:38.2, SDSU 6:47.8. Although SDSU lost the race, competing against top ten teams helps them improve and progress to being one of the nations elite collegiate crews.
"I was a little disappointed in our performance," said head coach Scott Steckel, "We had to change personnel the day before the race, and had to deal with the cold, and rain pouring down on us that we were not used to. It is the way we deal with these type of sebacks that makes us a really good team. Unfortunately, we let those factors get the best of us this weekend, next time we will be more prepared."
The rest of the Aztec rowing team traveled to Marina Del Rey, Calif. to compete at the 23rd annual Norman P. Miller Cup hosted by UCLA. SDSU, last year's defending champion, sent its second varsity eight team to compete in the varsity eight races. The JV eight team performed well but was edged out in the grand final by .3 seconds to UC San Diego. The novice eight team finished a respectable third to the University of San Diego and Loyola Marymount.
"It says alot for the depth and strength of your program when you can send your junior varsity eight team to compete against other school's first varsity eights and have them be competitive," commented Steckel, "This weekend proves that we are on our way."
The women from Montezuma Mesa will again have their hands full racing against No.1 University of Washington this Sunday, May 1 when they will send their top novice eight to the famous Opening Day regatta in Seattle, Wash.