April 27, 2013
SACRAMENTO - The San Diego State women's rowing team opened competition by taking first in the Novice 8 at the WIRA Championships on Saturday. The regatta is being held at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma.
The Aztecs began their weekend slate with the second heat of the Varsity 8 contest. SDSU finished fourth with a time of seven minutes, 13.3 seconds, behind Seattle University. "We knew our heat was going to be competitive," said head coach Alison Abrams. "Our crew had a strong start and put up a good fight against Seattle University." San Diego State advances to the petite final tomorrow at 11:30 am against Santa Clara University.
The second race of the morning for the Aztecs came in the Novice 8 which got underway at 11:50 am. SDSU claimed first place, beating out four other schools for the crown with a time of 7:14.8. With the win, San Diego State will go onto the grand final tomorrow at 10 am against OCC, UCSB, Gonzaga, USD and Sacramento State. "Our Novice 8 has really come a long way since the beginning of the season," Abrams commented. "Tomorrow's grand final will be very exciting to watch as it will mark their final race of the season."
SDSU will conclude its participation in the WIRA Championships tomorrow. The first race for the Aztecs is set for 8:10 am.
San Diego State at WIRA Championships
Lake Natoma
Gold River, Calif.
Varsity 8
1. Stanford Lightweights - 6:51.5
2. Saint Mary's - 6:59.8
3. Seattle University - 7:06.3
4. SDSU - 7:13.3
Novice 8
1. SDSU - 7:14.8
2. OCC - 7:20.3
3. UCSB - 7:22.8
4. Seattle University - 7:27.2
5. Humboldt - 7:50.2
Lineups
Varsity Eight: Jennifer Miller (coxswain), Chelsee Brewster (stroke), Vivianna Smith (seven), Julia Brockherde (six), Vera Brockherde (five), Kaitlyn Goss (four), Cassie Wilson (three), Romaine Desclos (two) and Elizabeth West (bow).
Novice Eight: Gina Navarro (coxswain), Jessica Haggard (stroke), Annalisa Duarte (seven), Melissa Scholz (six), Campbell Oreglia (five), Kelsey Meksto (four), Lauren Nielsen (three), Allison Litzinger (two) and Hillary Lupo (bow).