The Hornets and Aggies race for the Jean Runyon Cup each year and Sacramento State has not lost to UC Davis since the 1998 season. The Jean Runyon Cup, which both schools began competing for in 1997, is given to the fastest boat in the varsity eight competition.

This morning, Sacramento State raced to a first-place time of 6:40.5, its fastest mark over 2,000 meters since posting a 6:38.45 at Redwood Shores, Calif., on April 29, 2000. The Hornets’ time was also their fastest at Lake Natoma since March 6, 1999, when the team posted a 6:40.19.

UC Davis kept pace with Sacramento State throughout the varsity eight competition as the Aggies (6:41.8) finished 1.3 seconds behind the Hornets. Sacramento State’s varsity eight, which has not lost a dual meet since the 2003 season, improved to 8-0 this year and 15-0 over the last two years.

In the second varsity eight competition, Sacramento State won handily with a time of 6:56.8, more than eight seconds faster than UC Davis (7:05.2). The Hornets’ second varsity eight improved its dual-meet record to 6-0 this year and is now 10-0 over the last two years.

In the novice eight competition, Sacramento State posted a winning time of 7:06.3, followed by UC Davis “B” (7:16.9) and UC Davis “A” (7:17.8). The Hornets’ novice eight also remained undefeated in dual-meet action this year as the boat improved to a perfect 10-0.

Sacramento State’s impressive season continued Saturday as the team’s varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight boats are now a combined 24-0 in dual meets this year.

Sacramento State returns to action next weekend for its biggest regatta of the season as the Hornets host the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships on Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1. The Hornets'' varsity eight is seeking its first WIRA gold medal since the 2001 season. At last year''s WIRA Championships, the Hornets'' second varsity eight placed first while the varsity eight and novice eight both raced to second-place finishes.

SACRAMENTO STATE LINEUPS FROM SATURDAY:

VARSITY EIGHT LINEUP: Cecilia Vina at coxswain, Laura Harder at stroke, Ashley Roundtree at seven, Sara Crain at six, Brittney Claycamp at five, Steffanie Jakovac at four, Aimee Chenard at three, Ashley Wayman at two and Jamie Weatherfield at bow.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT LINEUP: Megan Williams at coxswain, Ashley Borelli at stroke, Courtney Buehler at seven, Janine LaCrosse at six, Kristin Carlson at five, Jacqueline Sechser at four, Constance Deslauriers at three, Jenna Duale at two and Teresa Bitcon at bow.

NOVICE EIGHT LINEUP: Ashley Platner at coxswain, Ashley Loucks at stroke, Krista Hill at seven, Mallory Pirie at six, Meghyn Cox at five, Lenore Meehan at four, Amy Justice at three, Megan Maurer at two and Justine Fernandez at bow.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Varsity Eight

1. Sacramento State 6:40.5

2. UC Davis 6:41.8

Second Varsity Eight

1. Sacramento State 6:56.8

2. UC Davis 7:05.2

Novice Eight

1. Sacramento State 7:06.3

2. UC Davis “B” 7:16.9

3. UC Davis “A” 7:17.8