ROWING TAKES HOME A PAIR OF SILVER MEDALS AT THE SIRA CHAMPIONSHIPS

4/22/2007

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – The Sacramento State women’s varsity eight and second varsity eight each took home silver medals in their respective finals in the last day of the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships Sunday morning at the Melton Lake Rowing Venue.

This marks the second year in a row the Hornets competed at the SIRA Championships, as the varsity eight brought home a silver last year, while the second varsity eight finished fourth.

Today, the Hornets’ varsity eight posted a time of 6:47.0 over 2,000 meters, losing only to ninth-ranked Central Florida’s time of 6:38.2. Kansas State finished third with a time of 6:49.9, followed by Ohio State’s club team (6:52.0), Purdue (6:53.0) and Cincinnati (6:54.3). Sacramento State advanced to the final by winning their semifinal heat yesterday.

In the second varsity eight final, Central Florida again won gold with a time of 6:53.0, followed by Sacramento State (6:56.6) and Kansas State (7:02.4) to round out the top three in a seven-boat field. The Hornets’ second varsity eight did not compete yesterday as the team was automatically slotted into today’s final.

In the novice eight final, Sacramento State finished fourth in the six-boat field with a time of 7:19.3, trailing Kansas State (7:07.3), Central Florida (7:16.3) and Purdue (7:16.8). The Hornets’ novice eight advanced to today’s final by placing third in its semifinal heat yesterday.

Sacramento State returns to action next weekend for its biggest regatta of the season. The Hornets will host the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships, which serve as the team’s conference championship. Since the program gained intercollegiate status in 1995, Sacramento State has won three WIRA titles (2000, 2001, 2006). Last year’s varsity eight won the WIRA championship with a school-record time of 6:35.9 over 2,000 meters.

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

NOVICE EIGHT FINAL
1. Kansas State  7:07.3
2. Central Florida  7:16.3
3. Purdue  7:16.8
4. Sacramento State  7:19.3
5. Louisville  7:21.1
6. Alabama  7:21.3

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT FINAL
1. Central Florida  6:53.0
2. Sacramento State  6:56.6
3. Kansas State  7:02.4
4. Cincinnati  7:08.6
5. Purdue  7:16.3
6. Tulsa  7:17.1
7. Alabama  7:20.2

VARSITY EIGHT FINAL
1. Central Florida  6:38.2
2. Sacramento State  6:47.0
3. Kansas State  6:49.9
4. Ohio State Club  6:52.0
5. Purdue  6:53.0
6. Cincinnati  6:54.3