Both boats advance to tomorrow''s grand final round as the Hornets'' varsity eight seeks its third WIRA championship in the last four years (2000, 2001). Sacramento State''s novice eight finished first in the petite final after placing third in its heat earlier in the day.

In its varsity eight heat, Sacramento State''s time of 6:55.1 over 2,000 meters trailed first-place Gonzaga (6:52.8) by just 2.3 seconds. Western Washington finished third with a time of 6:56.0, followed by Puget Sound (6:59.2), Humboldt State (7:09.0) and UC San Diego (no time taken). The top two boats from each heat advance to the grand final, the third and fourth-place finishers advance to the petite final, and the fifth and sixth-place finishers advance to the third final.

Sacramento State''s second varsity eight continued its impressive season with a first-place time of 7:22.9 in its heat. UC Davis was second with a time of 7:27.5, followed by UC Irvine (7:32.5), Santa Clara (7:34.8), Puget Sound (7:35.2), Pacific Lutheran (7:45.0) and UC San Diego (no time taken).

In the novice eight petite final, Sacramento State raced to a winning time of 7:48.2, followed by Puget Sound (7:50.2), Orange Coast College (7:54.9), Loyola Marymount (7:55.2), San Diego State (8:05.8) and Willamette (8:07.4). In its morning heat, the Hornets'' novice eight finished third with a time of 7:30.5, trailing UC Santa Barbara (7:19.4) and Humboldt State (7:21.4). San Diego State finished fourth (7:32.1), followed by Long Beach State (7:42.9) and Cal''s Lightweights (7:47.0).

Head coach Mike Connors used the following varsity eight lineup for today''s competition: Chanel Patterson at bow, Brittney Claycamp at the two seat, Sara Crain at three, Jennifer Boyer at four, Laura Harder at five, Stephanie Brow at six, Katie Litvinchuk at seven, Sarah McKenzie at stroke and Christy Clifton at coxswain.

The Hornets'' second varsity eight lineup consisted of Kira Morrison at bow, Ashley Carl at two, Steffanie Jakovac at three, Erika Bracy at four, Lauren Coats at five, Rebecca Hurtt at six, Adelle Reimer at seven, Megan Foley at stroke and Cecilia Vina at coxswain.

Assistant coach Carrie Hagen used the following novice eight lineup: Heather Pryor at bow, Coralie Wilhite at the two seat, Chandra Peschel at three, Lauren Heselbarth at four, Allison King at five, Sarah Read at six, Shannon Wagner at seven, Sarah Karling at stroke and Leia Hawley at coxswain.

Sacramento State will compete at the following times tomorrow (Sunday, May 4): novice lightweight four''s grand final at 8:10 a.m., second varsity eight''s grand final at 10:40 a.m., and the varsity eight''s grand final at 11:45 a.m.

Sacramento State''s Women''s WIRA Results

Novice Eight (Heat 3)

1. UC Santa Barbara 7:19.4

2. Humboldt State 7:21.4

3. Sacramento State 7:30.5

4. San Diego State 7:32.1

5. Long Beach State 7:42.9

5. Cal Lightweights 7:47.0

Second Varsity Eight (Heat 2)

1. Sacramento State 7:22.9

2. UC Davis 7:27.5

3. UC Irvine 7:32.5

4. Santa Clara 7:34.8

5. Puget Sound 7:35.2

6. Pacific Lutheran 7:45.0

7. UC San Diego NTT

Varsity Eight (Heat 3)

1. Gonzaga 6:52.8

2. Sacramento State 6:55.1

3. Western Washington 6:56.0

4. Puget Sound 6:59.2

5. Humboldt State 7:09.0

6. UC San Diego NTT

Novice Eight (Petite Final)

1. Sacramento State 7:48.2

2. Puget Sound 7:50.2

3. Orange Coast 7:54.9

4. Loyola Marymount 7:55.2

5. San Diego State 8:05.8

6. Willamette 8:07.4