ROWING ADVANCES ALL THREE BOATS TO THE FINALS AT THE SIRA CHAMPIONSHIPS

4/21/2007

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Sacramento State women’s rowing program will have all three of its boats (varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight) compete in tomorrow’s finals of the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships.

The SIRA Championships take place at the Melton Lake Rowing Venue in Tennessee, and this marks the second consecutive year the Hornets have competed in the event.

The Hornets’ varsity eight advanced to the final by winning their semifinal heat today with a time of 6:55.2 over 2,000 meters, followed by Purdue (7:00.4), Kansas State (7:00.7), Alabama (7:08.3), Jacksonville (7:16.6) and West Virginia (7:31.7). Sacramento State will race in tomorrow’s varsity eight final at 8:30 a.m. PST against Central Florida, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Purdue and Kansas State.

Sacramento State’s novice eight finished third in its semifinal heat to advance to Sunday’s final. The top three boats in both semifinals reach the final, and the Hornets posted a third-place time of 7:17.9, almost three seconds faster than fourth-place Tennessee (7:20.7). Central Florida won the semifinal with a time of 7:09.7 while Purdue finished second with a time of 7:13.7.

The Hornets’ novice eight will race in tomorrow’s final (7:30 a.m. PST) against Kansas State, Louisville, Alabama, Central Florida and Purdue.

The Hornets’ second varsity eight did not race today as the boat was already inserted into its final without having to compete in a semifinal race. The boat will take part in its final tomorrow at 7:50 a.m. PST against Central Florida, Tulsa, Cincinnati, Kansas State, SMU and Purdue.

TODAY’S LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT: Ashley Platner at coxswain, Aimee Chenard at stroke, Meghyn Cox at seven, Janine LaCrosse at six, Krista Hill at five, Holly Hopkins at four, Constance Deslauriers at three, Chelsea Semrau at two and Ruthie Van Esso at bow.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT: Kelly Major at coxswain, Anne Morrison at stroke, Kellie Cook at seven, Ashley Loucks at six, Michelle McMullen at five, Lenore Meehan at four, Megan Riggs at three, Kristin Carlson at two and Justine Fernandez at bow.

NOVICE EIGHT: Katie Bossenmaier at coxswain, Michelle Stern at stroke, Victoria Jackson at seven, Molly Davis at six, Alyse Marlatt at five, Kayla Wright at four, Jenna Tofanelli at three, Rayelynn Majoewsky at two and Kaitlin Schnaars at bow.

TODAY’S SACRAMENTO STATE RESULTS

VARSITY EIGHT SEMIFINAL
1. Sacramento State  6:55.2
2. Purdue  7:00.4
3. Kansas state  7:00.7
4. Alabama  7:08.3
5. Jacksonville  7:16.6
6. West Virginia  7:31.7

NOVICE EIGHT SEMIFINAL
1. Central Florida  7:09.7
2. Purdue  7:13.7
3. Sacramento State  7:17.9
4. Tennessee  7:20.7
5. Murray State  7:41.4
6. SMU  8:00.4