March 15, 2008
MARINA DEL REY, Calif. - The San Diego State novice eight "A" boat took first for the second straight week to lead the Aztec rowers in a dual meet against UCLA Saturday morning at Marina Del Rey, Calif. Four other boats competed for SDSU, including the varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four and the novice eight "B" boat.
In the novice event, San Diego State's "A" got off to a strong start but actually was a bit behind UCLA until it opened a late surge to end the race with a time of 6 minutes, 49.8 seconds, more than five seconds ahead of the Bruins (6:55). The impressive time was almost a minute ahead of last year's 7:44.3 clocking.
"I was very pleased with our first novice (eight) boat," head coach Jennifer Zebroski said. "We looked strong, intense and very powerful. I'm excited about the last two (races) and looking forward to a strong season."
SDSU's second novice eight boat rounded out the three-boat race with a time of 7:04.83.
"I thought the second novice eight boat had a much better week then at the Parker Cup Regatta" Zebroski said. "Hopefully they can continue this success for the rest of the season."
The Aztecs had three varsity boats in action, as the varsity eight and second varsity eight each finished second, while the varsity four, which was comprised of all novices, was third.
In the varsity eight race, San Diego State got out to a good start, something it was lacking last race at the Parker Cup Regatta, but UCLA pulled away over the final 1,000-meters to win with a time of 6:18.30. SDSU came through at 6:41.97, much faster than last season's 7:03.9 clocking.
"I was happy with the way we got off the line," Zebroski said. "(The start) was something we really have been working on and it was much better today. Now we just need to put together a complete race and work on the second half."
In second varsity eight action, SDSU (6:52.95) improved its time by almost 18 seconds, but it wasn't enough in a 27-second setback to the Bruins (6:25.50).
"I thought our second varsity eight boat had a big improvement from the Parker Cup," Zebroski said. "They looked much stronger and are working hard to get better."
The varsity four boat ran into some crabs early but still managed to put together a solid time of 7:04.58 (last year's boat finished in 6:52.8), but finished third behind UCLA's "A" (7:17.17) and "B" (7:20.66) boats.
"We had some trouble in the beginning with the crabs," Zebroski said. "But I was very happy with the way we finished strong and were still able to put together a respectable time."
The Aztecs head to Northern California at the end of the month for a pair of dual meets. SDSU takes on Sacramento State on March 29 and UC Davis on the following day.
SDSU vs. UCLA
Marina Del Rey, Calif
March 15, 2008
Varsity Eight
1. UCLA - 6:18.30
2. SDSU - 6:41.97
Second Varsity Eight
1. UCLA - 6:25.50
2. SDSU - 6:52.95
Varsity Four
1. UCLA `A' - 7:17.17
2. UCLA `B' - 7:20.66
3. SDSU - 7:55.39
Novice Eight
1. SDSU `A' - 6:49.80
2. UCLA - 6:55.00
3. SDSU `B' - 7:04.83
Lineups
Varsity Eight
Caitlynn Crouch (cox)
Casi Boyle (stroke)
Tashina Vavuris (seven)
Allison Hardin (six)
Jaime Hinton (five)
Anna Ohrstrom (four)
Chloe Wiegman (three)
Christine Dickson (two)
Mary Anne Hinman (bow)
Second Varsity Eight
Laura Norton (cox)
Taylor Weirick (stroke)
Alyson Boyd (seven)
Leslie Sexton (six)
Katie Stephenson (five)
Robin Lauber (four)
Melissa Carey (three)
Kelly West (two)
Katie Rusch (bow)
Varsity Four
Cassy Lyman (cox)
Krista Kerth (stroke)
Stefanie Krach (three)
Christina Mattos (two)
Lindsey Serhan (bow)
Novice Eight
Cassy Baleix (cox)
Rachel Mossinger (stroke)
Alanna Call (seven)
Kelsey Anderson (six)
Kassi Russell (five)
Ashley Kohler (four)
Katie Austin (three)
Kristina Blanco (two)
Stacey Triche (bow)
Second Novice Eight
Jessica Nieto (cox)
Kelsey Conover (stroke)
Abby Kegel (seven)
Kristin Guissanie (six)
Jenny Woudenberg (five)
Morgan Roberts (four)
Christina Gamboa (three)
Jill Duff (two)
Emma Stanner (bow)