March 13, 2005

Rancho Cordova, Calif. - This Saturday Saint Mary's women's rowing competed in the Sacramento State Invitational which featured the Hornets, Humboldt State, Sonoma State, and Cal's lightweight crew. The Gaels finished second in the varsity-8 and varsity-4 races, fourth in the novice-4 and fifth in the novice-8 competitions Saturday morning on Lake Natoma.

The Gaels' varsity eight crossed the 2,000-meter finish line with a second place time of 7:09.7. The host Hornets captured the race with a time of 6:53.0. Saint Mary's was followed by Humboldt State (7:16.2) and Cal Lightweights (7:18.8).

In the varsity four, Saint Mary's also finished second with a time of 7:46.9, 11 seconds behind the Sacramento State "A" boat, who won with a time of 7:35.5. Coming in third was the Sacramento State "B" (7:50.7) boat, followed by Sonoma State (7:59.7), Humboldt State B (8:08.3) and Humboldt State A (8:25.7).

In the novice eight competition, the Gaels rowed to a time of 7:41.9, to place fifth. Saint Mary's was followed by Humbolt State B (7:47.9) and Cal Lightweights B (8:20.4). The novice four race saw Saint Mary's cross the finish line with a time of 8:40.7 to come in fourth, beating the Lumberjacks by 7.7 seconds.

The Gaels return to the water next weekend (March 19-20) at the WCC Challenge, featuring Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Sacramento State and San Diego at the CSUS Aquatic Center.

SATURDAY'S WOMEN'S RESULTS
Varsity Eight
1. Sacramento State 6:53.0
2. Saint Mary's 7:09.7
3. Humboldt State 7:16.2
4. Cal Lightweights 7:18.8
Novice Eight
1. Sacramento State 7:08.3
2. Sonoma State 7:24.7
3. Humboldt State A 7:36.0
4. Cal Lightweights A 7:37.8
5. Saint Mary's 7:41.9
6. Humboldt State B 7:47.9
7. Cal Lightweights B 8:20.4
Varsity Four
1. Sacramento State A 7:35.5
2. Saint Mary's 7:46.9
3. Sacramento State B 7:50.7
4. Sonoma State 7:59.7
5. Humboldt State B 8:08.3
6. Humboldt State A 8:25.7
Novice Four
1. Sacramento State 8:06.3
2. Sonoma State A 8:23.7
3. Cal Lightweights A 8:33.8
4. Saint Mary's 8:40.7
5. Humboldt State 8:47.7
6. Sonoma State B 9:12.8
7. Cal Lightweights B 9:36.2