Loyola Marymount won the varsity eight competition for the second year in a row with a 2,000-meter time of 6:51.6, followed by Sacramento State (6:55.1), Gonzaga (6:55.9), UC Davis (7:03.2), Puget Sound (7:09.7) and UC Santa Barbara (7:12.9). The Hornets improved on last year’s finish in which the varsity eight placed fourth. The team entered the WIRA Championships as the No. 1 seed after defeating Loyola Marymount in dual-meet action two weeks ago.

After never finishing higher than second place at the WIRA Championships, Sacramento State’s second varsity eight got over the hump today as the team recorded a convincing win for the gold medal. The Hornets raced to a time of 6:59.0, followed by Gonzaga (7:04.2), UC Davis (7:06.8), Loyola Marymount (7:09.9), San Diego State (7:17.0) and UC Santa Barbara (7:26.7).

Sacramento State’s novice eight also finished with a silver medal, equaling its highest finish in program history (the 1997 novice eight finished second as well). Including the Hornets’ varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight, a total of five Sacramento State boats finished with at least the silver medal in today’s championships. The Hornets also finished first in the women’s pair and second in the women’s novice lightweight four competitions. Sacramento State’s second novice eight was the only boat not to medal.

The Hornets'' Christy Clifton, Stephanie Brow and Erika Bracy were each named first team all-WIRA, and Katie Litvinchuk was named to the second team. Brow was also named all-WIRA during the 2002 spring season.

Sacramento State’s varsity eight returns to the water next weekend (May 7-8) as the team competes at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. The Hornets placed second in the petite final of last year’s regatta.

TODAY''S SACRAMENTO STATE LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT: Courtney Buehler at bow, Ashley Carl at the two seat, Sara Crain at three, Adelle Reimer at four, Laura Harder at five, Brittney Claycamp at six, Erika Bracy at seven, Stephanie Brow at stroke and Christy Clifton at coxswain.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT: Ashley Wayman at bow, Lucy Roberts at the two seat, Constance Deslauriers at three, Stephanie Ridlon at four, Steffanie Jakovac at five, Sarah Karling at six, Katie Litvinchuk at seven, Jamie Weatherfield at stroke and Cecilia Vina at coxswain.

NOVICE EIGHT: Susan Williams at bow, Megan Williams at the two seat, Lindsey Wade at three, Jenna Duale at four, Catherine Woerner at five, Ashley Borelli at six, Teresa Bitcon at seven,  Janine LaCrosse at stroke and Jackie Siech at coxswain.

NOVICE LIGHTWEIGHT FOUR: Susan Williams at bow, Megan Williams at the two seat, Lindsey Wade at three, Jenna Duale at stroke and Jackie Sich at coxswain.,

SECOND NOVICE EIGHT: Emily Rios at bow, Liz Wilson at the two seat, Natalie Eagle at three, Marisa Lacampagne at four, Melissa Murphy at five, Tamara Srzentic at six, Kristin Burke at seven, Hillary Bates at stroke and Liz Crettol at coxswain.

PAIR: portside - Coralie Wilhite, stbd - Kira Morrison

SUNDAY''S SACRAMENTO STATE WOMEN''S RESULTS

NOVICE LIGHTWEIGHT FOUR GRAND FINAL

1. UC Santa Barbara 7:46.3

2. Sacramento State 7:55.8

3. Cal Lightweights 8:02.9

4. Willamette 8:14.3

5. Pacific Lutheran 8:23.3

6. UC San Diego 8:45.4

PAIR GRAND FINAL

1. Sacramento State 8:16.2

2. Pacific Lutheran 8:17.5

3. UC San Diego 8:17.9

4. Oregon 8:25.7

5. Colorado 8:49.1

6. Portland 9:03.7

SECOND NOVICE EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. UC Irvine 7:40.2

2. San Diego 7:45.0

3. UC San Diego 7:47.3

4. Willamette 7:48.1

5. Pacific Lutheran 7:58.7

6. UC Santa Barbara 8:03.0

7. Sacramento State 8:04.1

NOVICE EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. San Diego State 7:05.4

2. Sacramento State 7:10.2

3. Orange Coast College 7:14.1

4. UC Santa Barbara 7:14.8

5. UC Davis 7:17.7

6. San Diego 7:20.1

VARSITY EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. Loyola Marymount 6:51.6

2. Sacramento State 6:55.1

3. Gonzaga 6:55.9

4. UC Davis 7:03.2

5. Puget Sound 7:09.7

6. UC Santa Barbara 7:12.9

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. Sacramento State 6:59.0

2. Gonzaga 7:04.2

3. UC Davis 7:06.8

4. Loyola Marymount 7:09.9

5. San Diego State 7:17.0

6. UC Santa Barbara 7:26.7