May 3, 2008

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - The Gonzaga University women's rowing team, coming off its 11th West Coast Conference Championship, advanced all four boats to the Sunday's Grand Finals as the first day of the 2008 WIRA Championships came to a close on Saturday. The Bulldogs will have a chance to win their third title in four years in both the Varsity 8+ and Second Varsity 8+ as both boats advanced after placing first in each of their heats. The Zags Novice 8+ boat looks to capture their third-straight title, while the Varsity 4+ also earned a spot in the Grand Final with a first place finish.

The Gonzaga Varsity 8+ boat continued its domination by winning its heat in a time of 6:41.9; nearly five seconds ahead of the University of San Diego who placed second with a finish of 6:46.4. Also advancing out of the heat to the Grand Final was San Diego State University who had a time of 6:47.8.

The Bulldog Varsity 8+ time was the fastest time of the two Varsity 8+ heats. Western Washington University won the first heat in a time of 6:42.0. UC Davis placed second (6:45.2), while Sacramento State University claimed third (6:51.2) to also advance to the Grand Final Sunday.

The Junior Varsity 8+ earned a spot in Sunday's Grand Final by winning its heat race by nine seconds, crossing the finish line in 7:05.0. San Diego State finished second in a time of 7:14.5 and Loyola Marymount University was third with a finish of 7:15.0. In the second heat, UC Davis finished with the fastest time of the day in 7:03.8. Also advancing to the Grand Final from the second heat was Sacramento State (7:12.7) and Western Washington University (7:17.4).

The Gonzaga Novice 8+ easily claimed a spot in the Grand Final, cruising to an eight-second victory in its heat race. The Bulldogs turned in a time of 7:10.1, with Orange Coast College running second at 7:18.5. Puget Sound finished third to secure the final spot of the Grand Final with a time of 7:27.1.

The Varsity 4+ boat was earned a 10-second victory in its heat race to also earn a spot in the Grand Final Sunday. The Zags crossed the finish line in 7:48.5, ahead of Long Beach State University who was clocked at 7:58.6. Placing third was UC Davis with a finish of 8:03.5.

WIRA Championships - Day 1
Lake Natoma, Calif. - 2,000 meters

Varsity 8+ (Heat Racing)
1. Gonazga, 6:41.9
2. San Diego, 6:46.4
3. San Diego State, 6:47.8
4. Saint Mary's, 6:54.7
5. Santa Clara, 7:03.7
6. UC Irvine, 7:15.8

Second Varsity 8+ (Heat Racing)
1. Gonzaga, 7:05.0
2. San Diego State, 7:14.5
3. Loyola Marymount, 7:15.0
4. San Diego, 7:16.2
5. Saint Mary's, 7:30.7
6. Humboldt State, 7:46.6
7. Pacific Lutheran, 8:00.6

Novice 8+ (Heat Racing)
1. Gonzaga, 7:10.1
2. Orange Coast, 7:18.5
3. Puget Sound, 7:27.1
4. UC Santa Barbara, 7:35.1
5. Lewis & Clark, 7:42.2
6. Evergreen, 7:45.8

Varsity 4+ (Heat Racing)
1. Gonzaga, 7:48.5
2. Long Beach State, 7:58.6
3. UC Davis, 8:03.5
4. UC San Diego, 8:25.2
5. Santa Clara, 8:30.8
6. Sonoma State, 9:26.7

Grand Finals (Sunday)
9:40 a.m. - Varsity 4+: Gonzaga, Sacramento State, UC Santa Barbara, Saint Mary's, San Diego, UC Davis
10:00 a.m. - Novice 8+: Gonzaga, UC Davis, San Diego State, Orange Coast, Sacramento State, Willamette
10:30 a.m. - Second Varsity 8+: UC Davis, Gonzaga, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Western Washington, Loyola Marymount
11:50 a.m. - Varsity 8+: Gonzaga, Western Washington, San Diego, UC Davis, San Diego State, Sacramento State

Lineups:
Varsity 8+: Joan Aubry, Kelly Steinhaus, Whitney Engle, Katie Atkins, Hanna McClintock, Cory Nelson, Kelsey Koenig, Liz Moore, Julie Smetana
Second Varsity 8+: Sarah Rotar, Kari Sulenes, Chelsie Eddings, Whitney Patrick, Jana Holcombe, Teagan Towhey, Stephanie Murphy, Sami Koppinger, Sierra Tittle
Varsity 4+: Emily Wilson, Katherine Krueger, Alissa Stempson, Sam Cekovic, Lana Bowie
Novice 8+: Rachel Cregg, Therese Yrani, Alexa Bostwick, Andrea Ness, Madison Feddersen, Megan Morris, Hannah Winters, Courtney Norris, Rachel Schlosser