April 2, 2006

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's rowing team had four crews compete on Sunday during the final day of competition at the 33rd Annual San Diego Crew Classic, held at Crown Point Shores on Mission Bay. The women's open boat captured fourth place in the grand final of the Carly Copley Cup, crossing the finish line with a time of 7:47.83, ahead of River City (7:57.00) and Arizona Rowing (8:10.36) club teams. California won the championship race with a 7:18.60 clocking.

"Overall, I thought it was a fairly successful weekend," said Aztec head coach Jennifer Zebroski. "This was the first time in my four years here that we've had all four boats compete in either the petite or grand finals of the Crew Classic, and I think that's a tribute to all of the hard work that we've put in and the depth of our program."

In perhaps the most exciting race for the Aztecs on the day, SDSU placed third in the petite final of the junior varsity category with a time of 7:06.53, slipping by Texas (7:06.55) at the wire in a thrilling finish. It was a satisfying turn of events for the scarlet and black crew, which saw the Longhorns beat them by three seconds in Saturday's preliminary heat.

In the women's collegiate novice race, SDSU recorded a fifth-place finish in the petite final with a time of 7:37.56, completing the course comfortably ahead of Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association archrival Loyola Marymount (7:48.68)

Meanwhile, in the petite final of the prestigious Jessop-Whittier Cup, the Aztec varsity placed fifth with a 6:53.57 clocking, finishing behind Texas (6:46.95) but well out in front of Purdue (7:04.95) in a highly-competitive field.

SDSU will compete for local bragging rights next weekend when it takes on crews from the University of San Diego and UC San Diego at the San Diego City Championships. The regatta is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, on Mission Bay.

San Diego Crew Classic
Crown Point Shores--Mission Bay
Sunday Results (SDSU Races only)

Jessop-Whittier Cup (Petite Final)
1. Stanford (6:35.80); 2. Northeastern (6:37.09); 3. Loyola Marymount (6:39.99); 4. Texas (6:46.95); 5. SDSU (6:53.57); 6. Purdue (7:04.95).

Women's Junior Varsity (Petite Final)
1. Notre Dame (6:56.00); 2. Northeastern (7:00.91); 3. SDSU (7:06.53); 4. Texas (7:06.55); 5. Kansas State (7:13.25); 6. Santa Clara (7:15.21).

Women's Collegiate Novice (Petite Final)
1. Notre Dame (7:17.90); 2. USC (7:21.79); 3. Washington State (7:22.61); 4. UCSD `A' (7:30.59); 5. SDSU (7:37.56); 6. Loyola Marymount (7:48.68).

Women's Open (Grand Final)
1. California (7:18.60); 2. Notre Dame (7:32.11); 3. Riverside BC (7:33.87); 4.SDSU (7:47.83); 5. River City (7:57.00); 6. Arizona Rowing (8:10.36).

San Diego Crew Classic Lineups

Jessop-Whittier Cup (Varsity)
Cox: Caitlynn Crouch
Stroke: Mia Lysen
Seven Nancy Balt
Six: Katie Heisinger
Five: Terra Meck
Four: Julie Boerger
Three: Robin Lauber
Two: Amanda Briggs
Bow: Tashina Vavuris

Women's Junior Varsity
Cox: Raelyn Drury
Stroke: Allison Hardin
Seven: Audrey Edney
Six: Erika Blair
Five: Kim Dale
Four: Caitlin Weber
Three: Mary Von Urff
Two: Kaitlin Farnham
Bow: Christine Dickson

Women's Collegiate Novice
Cox: Claire O'Connor
Stroke: Natalie Keshlear
Seven: Asha Aker
Six: Christy Barni
Five: Caroline Yeatman
Four: Sara Wilkinson
Three: Taryn Hodges
Two: Candyce Martinez
Bow: Kelley Stewart

Women's Open
Cox: Aileen Gonzales
Stroke: Amanda Bremseth
Seven: Rachael Brockett
Six: Jessica Hays
Five: Taylor Weirick
Four: Kaitlin Drake
Three: Korina Tonne
Two: Kelly Rutherford
Bow: Katie Murray