April 1, 2006
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's rowing team completed the first day of competition on Saturday at the 33rd Annual San Diego Crew Classic, capturing first place in Heat `C' of the women's open category. The Aztecs also had three other boats entered at the prestigious two-day regatta, which is being held at Crown Point Shores on Mission Bay.
In the third heat of the Carly Copley Cup, the SDSU women's open boat crossed the finish line with a winning time of 7:20.40, edging out Riverside Boat Club (7:20.94) in an extremely close race. The Aztec crew, consisting of Aileen Gonzales (coxswain), Amanda Bremseth (stroke), Rachael Brockett (seven), Jessica Hays (six), Taylor Weirick (five), Kaitlin Drake (four), Korina Tonne (three), Kelly Rutherford (two) and Katie Murray (bow), had the fourth-fastest time in all three heats, trailing California (6:59.80), Notre Dame (7:09.30) and San Diego Rowing Club (7:17.33). The victory secures a spot for SDSU in Sunday's grand final, which is slated to begin at 12:10 p.m.
In the women's collegiate novice division, the Aztecs took second in the third heat with a time of 7:19.68, outpacing USC (7:23.65) and UC Davis (7:30.03). Because its time ranked 11th overall, however, the SDSU novice boat was left out of the grand final, and will instead compete in Sunday's petite final, which is scheduled to get underway at 8:20 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Aztecs' entry in the women's junior varsity event logged a fourth-place finish its heat with a 6:53.48 clocking, but had to settle for a spot in the petite final on Sunday, which is set for a 9 a.m. start.
In SDSU's remaining race of the day, the Aztec varsity boat placed sixth in Heat `B' of the Jessop-Whittier Cup with a time of 6:42.81, and will also compete in the petite final on Sunday, beginning at 9:20 a.m.
San Diego Crew Classic
Crown Point Shores--Mission Bay
Saturday Results (SDSU Races only)
Jessop-Whittier Cup (Heat B)
1. USC (6:24.80); 2. Notre Dame (6:28.53); 3. Wisconsin (6:29.41); 4. Stanford (6:32.65); 5. Loyola Marymount (6:35.64); 6. SDSU (6:42.81).
Women's Junior Varsity (Heat C)
1. Washington State (6:36.60); 2. UCLA (6:41.97); 3. Texas (6:50.94); 4. SDSU (6:53.48); 5. St. Joseph's (7:07.43); 6. Santa Clara (7:22.40).
Women's Collegiate Novice (Heat C)
1. Oregon State (6:59.60); 2. SDSU (7:19.68); 3. USC (7:23.65); 4. UC Davis (7:30.03); 5. Sonoma State `A' (7:33.73); 6. UCSD `B' (8:07.31).
Women's Open (Heat C)
1. SDSU (7:20.40); 2. Riverside BC (7:20.94); 3. Cal Alum (7:29.94); 4.USC Alum (7:41.47); 5. USD Alum (7:48.47); 6. UCSD (7:57.99).