Dec. 5, 2000

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The San Diego State women's rowing team won four of the five events it entered Sunday at the 33rd Annual Long Beach Christmas Regatta. The Aztecs won gold medals in the Novice Eight, Novice Four, Open Pair and Open Eight events and placed second and fourth in the Open Four. The event was held in Marine Stadium and was hosted by the Long Beach Rowing Association.

The highlight of competition for SDSU came in the women's open pair without coxswain event. The pair, stroked by Sarah Snider and Stina Karlsson, started the race off by steering a snake of a course and trailed the lead crew by three boat lengths of open water once they were able to straighten out. The team flew into the last ten strokes only one length behind and made the final push to take the race.

"It was a very exciting, come from behind victory," said assistant coach Kevin Waldick. "It showed the competitive nature of these athletes."

The team recently purchased pairs and were able to train in them only twice before the event.

"Anytime you row without a coxswain you have to be experienced," said assistant coach Helen Betancourt. "The coxswain's job is to steer, strategize, bark commands and watch for technique flaws. Without a coxswain you have to do all this yourself - and rowing."

Sunday was also key for the freshman/Novice team, helping them wrapped up an undefeated fall season. The novice placed first in all three events it competed in throughout the fall.

The Long Beach event concludes the team's fall season. In preparation for the spring schedule the team will head to Austin, Texas in January for a two week winter training session.

"Overall the fall was good for us," said head coach Scott Steckel. "The team learned a great deal and took steps toward gaining the kind of aerobic base necessary to compete at a high level in the spring racing season. I think they had fun and am proud of our performances."