The Hornets wrapped up a successful year that saw the Women’s rowing team win gold in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four grand finals at the same Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championship for the first time in program history (1995 to present). Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics

GOLD RIVER, CA (MPG) - In its first appearance at the West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship as a league affiliate, Sacramento State University placed fourth out of nine schools in the final team points standings on the morning of May 17 at Lake Natoma.

There were four race categories, varsity eight (V8), second varsity eight (2V8), varsity four (V4) and second varsity four (2V4) at the West Coast Conference Championship, which began on May 16 with heat racing. Based on the results from May 16, the Hornets advanced their varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four to May 17’s grand finals and the second varsity four qualified for the petite final.

Sacramento State University, which joined the West Coast Conference for rowing prior to this season, competed against five full-time members (Gonzaga University, Portland University, Saint Mary’s College, San Diego State and Santa Clara University) as well as affiliates Creighton University, Oregon State and Washington State.

In the racing on May 17, Sacramento State University’s varsity eight placed fourth in its final with a time of 6:58.18, finishing ahead of Saint Mary’s College and San Diego State, respectively.

Oregon State, which is ranked 20th in the country and the only nationally ranked West Coast Conference program, finished first with a time of 6:36.16, followed by Gonzaga University and Washington State, respectively, to round out the top three.

Both the Hornets’ second varsity eight (7:13.89) and varsity four (8:08.81) took fifth-place in their respective grand finals. The second varsity four won its petite final, besting second-place Creighton University by over eight seconds.

Sacramento State’s Daria Okhremtchuk and Kaylee Godwin were named to the All-West Coast Conference team.

Oregon State, in its first year in the West Coast Conference, was crowned the conference champion by virtue of winning gold in each of the points races (V8, 2V8 and V4). The Beavers placed first in all four-race category and will represent the West Coast Conference at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship May 30 through June 1 at Mercer Lake in New Jersey. The Beavers’ championship snapped a string of nine consecutive West Coast Conference titles won by Gonzaga University.

This event marks the end of the season for Sacramento State University. The Hornets wrapped up a successful year that saw the team win gold in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four grand finals at the same Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championship for the first time in program history (1995 to present). All but two members (Emma Goldsmith and Valarie Reed) of the varsity eight will return next season.

Sacramento State lineups were the varsity eight team which included (cox) Goldsmith, (stroke) Kaylee Godwin, (seven) Harper Waring, (six) Nieka Marais, (five) Daria Okhremtchuk, (four) Ella Holmes, (three) Mackenzie Murray, (two) Ruth Brooks and (bow) Reed.

The second varsity eight team included (cox) Corey Pantega, (stroke) Katherine Macias, (seven) Britain Fehd, (six) Amaka Okam, (five) Madi Smith, (four) Olivia Zanni, (three) Nela Stehlik, (two) Emma Hallums and (bow) Gabriella Glaser.

The varsity four team included (cox) Ella Barrow, (stroke) Pearl Gaston, (three) Bryleigh Nixon, (two) Lauren Mannerino and (bow) Emma Stockton.

The second varsity four team included (cox) Savannah Keith, (stroke) Emily Lopez, (three) Dailyn Francia, (two) Eliana Garcia and (bow) Emma Doddridge.

Final points standings were, in first-place, Oregon State which earned 54 points out of a possible 54 points, Gonzaga University in second-place with 47 points, Washington State in third-place with 43 points, Sacramento State in fourth-place with 33 points, San Diego State in fifth-place with 30 points, Saint Mary’s College in sixth-place with 27 points, Creighton University in seventh-place with 14 points, Portland University in eighth-place with 14 points and Santa Clara University in ninth-place with 8 points.