April 30, 2006
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - The San Diego State women's rowing team wrapped up an impressive weekend on Sunday, winning two medals on the final day of the 2006 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships on Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The Aztecs raced three boats in grand final competition, highlighted by a first-place finish in the second varsity eight event. SDSU also posted a third-place effort in the varsity four category, while the varsity eight crew came in fifth.
"I was extremely proud of our performances this weekend," said Aztec head coach Jennifer Zebroski. "Our (WIRA) results improved tremendously over last year at the varsity level, and hopefully that will help us in our goal to eventually reach the NCAAs. We only lose four seniors out of the varsity boats, so I'm already excited about the prospects for next year."
In the second varsity eight final, SDSU emerged victorious with a winning a time of 6:35.6 to capture the gold medal. The Aztecs trailed in the early stages of the 2000-meter race, before making their move at roughly the halfway point. The scarlet and black then shifted into overdrive down the stretch to hold off UC Davis (6:37.8) and Gonzaga (6:40.1) in a close finish.
The Aztecs also collected hardware in the varsity four grand final, earning the bronze medal with a strong third-place showing. SDSU clocked in at 7:23.9, safely in front of Western Washington (7:27.5), Portland (7:29.3) and UC San Diego (7:30.9). Saint Mary's (7:11.5) and San Diego (7:14.0) took home the gold and silver medals, respectively.
In the final event of the day, the Aztecs' varsity eight boat fell behind early in its race and could not narrow the gap between the leaders, crossing the finish line in fifth place with a time of 6:46.3, slightly ahead of Western Washington (6:47.0). Sacramento State claimed the top spot with a 6:35.9 clocking, followed by Loyola Marymount (6:38.0), Gonzaga (6:41.0) and UC Davis (6:42.8).
Individually, seniors Audrey Edney (Modesto, Calif.) and Korina Tonne (Hemet, Calif.) each received second team all-WIRA honors during an awards ceremony following the regatta. Edney sat in the seven seat for the victorious second varsity eight boat, while Tonne occupied the bow position for the varsity four crew. The Aztecs also placed third overall in the team points standings, behind Sacramento State and LMU.
"It was just a wonderful atmosphere up here the past of couple of days," Zebroski added. "I thought all of our athletes displayed tremendous enthusiasm and everyone maintained a positive attitude toward one another. We've accomplished some amazing things this year, and to see our three (varsity) boats reach the grand finals made the weekend that much more enjoyable."
SDSU will compete in its final regatta of the season in two weeks when it returns to Lake Natoma for the Pac-10 Rowing Championships on May 15.
WIRA Championships
Grand Finals
Lake Natoma--Rancho Cordova, Calif.
(All races 2,000 meters--SDSU only)
Women's Varsity Eight (D1/Open)
1. Sacramento State 6:35.9; 2. Loyola Marymount 6:38.0; 3. Gonzaga 6:41.0; 4. UC Davis 6:42.8; 5. SDSU 6:46.3; 6. Western Washington 6:47.0.
Women's Second Varsity Eight
1. SDSU 6:35.6; 2. UC Davis 6:37.8; 3. Gonzaga 6:40.7; 4. LMU 6:45.6; 5. Sacramento State 6:49.4; 6. San Diego 6:57.0.
Women's Varsity Four
1. Saint Mary's 7:11.5; 2. San Diego 7:14.0; 3. SDSU 7:23.9; 4. Western Washington 7:27.5; 5. Portland 7:29.3; 6. UC San Diego 7:30.9.
2006 WIRA Championships Lineups
Varsity Eight
Cox: Raelyn Drury
Stroke: Amanda Briggs
Seven: Nancy Balt
Six: Mia Lysen
Five: Ashley Pfohl
Four: Julie Boerger
Three: Robin Lauber
Two: Katie Heisinger
Bow: Tashina Vavuris
Second Varsity Eight
Cox: Caitlynn Crouch
Stroke: Allison Hardin
Seven: Audrey Edney
Six: Caitlin Weber
Five: Kim Dale
Four: Kaitlin Drake
Three: Mary Von Urff
Two: Kaitlin Farnham
Bow: Christine Dickson
Varsity Four
Cox: Aileen Gonzales
Stroke: Erika Blair
Three: Rachael Brockett
Two: Jessica Hays
Bow: Korina Tonne
Novice Eight (competed Saturday)
Cox Claire O'Connor
Stroke Asha Aker
Seven Christy Barni
Six Kelley Stewart
Five Natalie Keshlear
Four Diana Bustos
Three Candyce Martinez
Two Taryn Hodges
Bow Sara Wilkinson
Women's Pair (competed Saturday)
Stroke: Amanda Bremseth
Bow: Katie Murray