May 1, 2008

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's rowing team will compete in the 2008 West Coast Conference women's rowing championship this Friday as they battle it out at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, CA. Saint Mary's will look to win its first ever WCC Championship after finishing second last season.

Looking At SMC
The Gaels recorded their best finish ever at the 2007 WCC Championships, tying for second place with Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara. The 2007 WCC Coxswain of the Year, Kate Shalvoy, returns for the Gaels this year as she continues her command of the Second Varsity Eight boat this season. Also returning for Saint Mary's this year is 2007 All-WCC selection, Sierra Timmer. The Gaels finished second in the Varsity 8 race at last year's WCC Championship, marking a program best result. In their most recent event, the Gaels finished first at the Windermere Regatta, defeating Arizona State by a margin of 18 seconds.

2007 WCC Rowing Championship Recap
The Gonzaga women's rowing team claimed its 10th West Coast Conference title, winning the I-Eight, II-Eight and I-Four races at Lake Natoma. The Bulldogs swept each of the three events, taking its ninth I-Eight event in the 11-year championship history and accumulating the maximum 30-team points. Saint Mary's finished in a three way tie for third place with the 2006 champion Loyola Marymount Santa Clara, with seven total points each.

Saint Mary's opened the 2007 WCC Rowing Championships with a fifth place finish in the I-Four event. The second varsity eight posted a fourth place finish with a time of 7:23.4, and the Varsity Eight powered the second place finish with a second place finish, crossing the finish line for the 2,000-meter race in a time of 6:56.3.

History of the WCC Rowing Championships
The WCC began sponsoring women's rowing in 1997 with the 2008 championship marking the 12th anniversary. The event will once again return to Lake Natoma, which has been the host site for every WCC Rowing Championship. Gonzaga University has dominated the championship, claiming 10 of the previous 11 titles. Loyola Marymount University broke the Bulldogs' streak in 2006, taking home the conference title. The Lions and the Bulldogs tied in the final point standings, but LMU was awarded the championship by virtue of finishing first in the varsity eight heat.

2008 WCC Rowing Championship Schedule
Race Times
I-Four Race - 9:20 PM
II-Eight Race - 9:40 PM
I-Eight Race - 10:00 PM

Point Distribution
I-Four
1. 5 points
2. 4 points
3. 3 points
4. 2 points
5. 1 point

II-Eight
1. 10 points
2. 8 points
3. 6 points
4. 4 points
5. 2 points

I-Eight
1. 15 points
2. 12 points
3. 9 points
4. 6 points
5. 3 points