The Hornets’ varsity eight, which advanced to the grand final by placing second in its heat earlier in the day, rowed to a time of 6:55.2 over 2,000 meters, finishing behind first-place Louisville (6:50.7). Sacramento State defeated crews from Miami (6:57.2), Kansas State (7:00.3), Kansas (7:03.18) and North Carolina (7:10.83). Louisville is currently receiving votes in the USRowing/CRCA top 20 coaches poll.

Sacramento State also competed in the second varsity eight competition, advancing to the grand final by virtue of winning its heat earlier in the day. In the second varsity eight grand final, the Hornets (7:09.68) finish fourth behind first-place Louisville (6:58.1), Kansas State (7:03.99) and Miami (7:07.37). Trailing Sacramento State in fifth and sixth place, respectively, were Cincinnati (7:17.15) and North Carolina (7:18.31).

Saturday marked the first time in school history that Sacramento State has competed at the SIRA Championships. More than 60 men’s and women’s rowing programs competed at the two-day event.

Sacramento State returns to the water next Saturday, April 22, as the team hosts Long Beach State for a dual meet at Lake Natoma.

Sacramento State''s Varsity Eight Lineup: Ashley Platner at coxswain, Laura Harder at stroke, Brittney Claycamp at seven, Meghyn Cox at six, Aimee Chenard at five, Steffanie Jakovac at four, Janine LaCrosse at three, Constance Deslauriers at two and Ashley Roundtree at bow.

Sacramento State''s Second Varsity Eight Lineup: Cecilia Vina at coxswain, Ashley Loucks at stroke, Krista Hill at seven, Jacqueline Sechser at six, Kristin Carlson at five, Ashley Borelli at four, Justine Fernandez at three, Jenna Duale at two and Teresa Bitcon at bow.

VARSITY EIGHT HEAT

1. Louisville 6:52.3

2. Sacramento State 6:58.67

3. Kansas State 7:00.15

4. Purdue 7:09.76

5. West Virginia 7:11.61

6. Cincinnati 7:22.2

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT HEAT

1. Sacramento State 7:06.3

2. Cincinnati 7:08.2

3. North Carolina 7:11.0

4. SMU 7:12.4

5. Kansas 7:14.1

6. Purdue 7:28.8

VARSITY EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. Louisville 6:50.7

2. Sacramento State 6:55.2

3. Miami 6:57.2

4. Kansas State 7:00.3

5. Kansas 7:03.18

6. North Carolina 7:10.83

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT GRAND FINAL

1. Louisville 6:58.1

2. Kansas State 7:03.99

3. Miami 7:07.37

4. Sacramento State 7:09.68

5. Cincinnati 7:17.15

6. North Carolina 7:18.31