The Jim Farwell Cup, which the Hornets and Broncos began competing for last year, is named after the former longtime Santa Clara rower and coach who established the women’s rowing program at Santa Clara. The regatta marked the beginning of the spring season for both teams.

The Hornets’ varsity eight rowed to an impressive time of 6:47.4, the team’s fastest mark to open a season since the 1999 varsity eight posted a 6:40.19 in the spring opener. Sacramento State won each of the five races during the day by at least 19 seconds as the Hornets were competing for the first time since Nov. 7.

Sacramento State’s varsity eight rowed to a winning time of 6:47.4 over 2,000 meters, followed by Santa Clara’s top boat (7:16.5). The Hornets’ second varsity eight, which has won five-straight dual-meet races dating back to last season, also won handily with a time of 7:09.1 over Santa Clara (7:42.6).

The Hornets’ novice eight posted a winning time of 7:33.1, while Santa Clara posted a time of 8:06.8. In the varsity four competition, the Hornets’ “A” boat posted a winning time of 7:58.2, followed by Sacramento State “B” (8:09.7) and Santa Clara (8:17.9). In the novice four competition, Sacramento State’s “B” boat posted a winning time of 8:23.7, followed by Sacramento State “A” (8:35.2), Santa Clara “B” (9:03.0) and Santa Clara “A” (9:08.7).

The Hornets, who race at Lake Natoma in its first three regattas of the season, returns to the water next week as the team hosts the Sacramento State Invitational on Saturday, March 12. The Hornets will compete against Humboldt State, Saint Mary’s, Sonoma State and Cal’s Lightweights.

SACRAMENTO STATE’S LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT LINEUP: Cecilia Vina at coxswain, Laura Harder at stroke, Brittney Claycamp at seven, Sara Crain at six, Janine LaCrosse at five, Steffanie Jakovac at four, Aimee Chenard at three, Teresa Bitcon at two and Kristin Carlson at bow.

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT LINEUP: Megan Williams at coxswain, Ashley Borelli at stroke, Ashley Wayman at seven, Jacqueline Sechser at six, Catherine Woerner at five, Jenna Duale at four, Courtney Buehler at three, Coralie Wilhite at two and Constance Deslauriers at bow.

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

VARSITY FOUR “A”: Vina at coxswain, Claycamp at stroke, Harder at three, Jamie Weatherfield at two and Crain at bow.

VARSITY FOUR “B”: Jackie Seich at coxswain, LaCrosse at stroke, Jakovac at three, Carlson at two and Bitcon at bow.

NOVICE FOUR “A”: Platner at coxswain, Pirie at stroke, Sheena Verduzco at three, Sarah Hemenway at two and Kristina Newcomb.

NOVICE FOUR “B”: Williams at coxswain, Loucks at stroke, Hill at three, Maurer at two and Fernandez at bow.

SATURDAY’S TIMES

Varsity Eight

1. Sacramento State 6:47.4

2. Santa Clara 7:16.5

Second Varsity Eight

1. Sacramento State 7:09.1

2. Santa Clara 7:42.6

Novice Eight

1. Sacramento State 7:33.1

2. Santa Clara 8:06.8

Varsity Four

1. Sacramento State “A” 7:58.2

2. Sacramento State “B” 8:09.7

3. Santa Clara 8:17.9

Novice Four

1. Sacramento State “B” 8:23.7

2. Sacramento State “A” 8:35.2

3. Santa Clara “B” 9:03.0

4. Santa Clara “A” 9:08.7