The Hornets’ varsity eight and novice eight each placed first in their heats, and the second varsity eight finished second as all three boats advanced to tomorrow’s grand finals. The WIRA Championships is one of the biggest regattas of the season for Sacramento State as it serves as the team’s conference championship.

Sacramento State will attempt to sweep gold medals in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and novice eight grand finals for the first time in school history on Sunday. Last season, the Hornets’ novice eight won gold, the second varsity eight won silver and the varsity eight took home the bronze.

The Hornets’ varsity eight (the team’s top boat) won its six-boat heat with a time of 6:46.6 over 2,000 meters. The team will take on Loyola Marymount, UC Davis, San Diego State, Gonzaga and Western Washington in tomorrow’s grand final which begins at noon. The Hornets’ last gold medal in the varsity eight grand final came during the 2001 season.

The second varsity eight finished second in its heat with a time of 7:04.5 and will advance to tomorrow’s grand final (10:30 a.m.) to face San Diego State, Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga, San Diego and UC Davis. The Hornets’ second varsity eight will seek its second WIRA Championship in the last three years.

Sacramento State’s novice eight posted the fastest time in its heat (7:03.4) and will advance to tomorrow’s grand final (10 a.m.) against Gonzaga, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Loyola Marymount and UC Davis. The Hornets’ novice eight will look to repeat as champions after winning gold at last year’s WIRA Championships for the first time in school history.

Sunday’s full slate of racing, which includes 25 races (14 on the women’s side, 11 on the men’s side), is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. with the women’s novice lightweight four grand final and conclude at noon with the women’s varsity eight grand final. Award ceremonies will begin at 12:30 p.m.

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 Borelli at stroke, Kristin Hill at seven, Jacqueline Sechser at six, Justine Fernandez at five, Ashley Loucks at four, Kristin Carlson at three, Jenna Duale at two and Teresa Bitcon at bow.

Sacramento State''s Novice Eight Lineup: Amy Branstetter at coxswain, Anne Morrison at stroke, Ruthie Van Esso at seven, Alicia Tarkenton at six, Megan Riggs at five, Kyle Johnston at four, Sherry Payne at three, Dani Thole at two and Aleisha DeCindis at bow.

Sacramento State’s Women’s Results

VARSITY EIGHT (Heat 2)

1. Sacramento State 6:46.6

2. San Diego State 6:50.4

3. Gonzaga 6:50.7

4. Puget Sound 6:55.4

5. Saint Mary’s 6:56.6

6. Santa Clara 7:00.6

7. UC Irvine 7:14.5

NOVICE EIGHT (Heat 3)

1. Sacramento State 7:03.4

2. UC Davis 7:16.2

3. Puget Sound 7:23.5

4. Chapman 7:23.8

5. Santa Clara 7:25.8

6. Orange Coast College 7:55.9

VARSITY FOUR (Heat 1)

1. San Diego 7:33.7

2. Portland 7:51.2

3. Evergreen State 7:59.1

4. UC Irvine 8:03.7

5. Sacramento State 8:11.0

6. Claremont College 8:15.4

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT (Heat 2)

1. UC Davis 6:55.1

2. Sacramento State 7:04.5

3. San Diego 7:06.4

4. Lewis and Clark 7:11.5

5. Saint Mary’s 7:22.9

6. UC Santa Barbara 7:45.3

WOMEN’S PAIR (Heat 2)

1. Portland 8:28.5

2. UC San Diego 8:37.7

3. Pacific Lutheran 8:39.5

4. Sacramento State 8:52.1

VARSITY FOUR (Third Level Final)

1. Claremont College 8:05.9

2. Sacramento State 8:09.7

3. Pacific Lutheran 8:28.7

4. Colorado 8:32.1