May 16, 2000

SAN DIEGO -

The San Diego State women's crew varsity eight closed out its season with a fifth-place finish in the petite final of the Pacific-10 Rowing Championship in Rancho Cordova, Calif., at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma.

SDSU raced to a time of 7:00.9, holding off Colorado (7:09.6) for fifth. The Aztecs' second varsity eight placed sixth in the grand final with a time of 8:14.0.

Highlighting the weekend for SDSU was the program's first-place finish by the women's novice eight. The Aztecs won the third final with a time of 7:37.3. Meanwhile, the women's lightweight four placed fourth in the petite final by rowing to a time of 9:07.3.

At the Pacific Coast Rowing Championship on Saturday, which was also held at the CSUS Aquatic Center, SDSU's lightweight four raced to a time of 7:17.3 for a third place finish. In the women's novice four, the Aztecs finished fifth with a time of 8:16.8.

In other Aztec crew news, head coach Scott Steckel announced signees for the 2000-2001 season. They include, Jessica Modezelski, a 6-1 discus thrower of Cactus Shadows High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., Beckah Beltz, a multi-sport athlete at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Santa Cruz, Janelle Fournier, a two-sport standout (volleyball and softball) and teammate of Beltz at San Lorenzo Valley, Sara Lattus, a former Junior Olympic swim team member from Durham High School in Durham, Calif., and Nicole Peter, a water polo player from San Clemente High School.

"These athletes were picked because they had the right body type, athleticism, and showed great potential to succeed at rowing," said Steckel. "We look for people with a good attitude and work ethic just as much as physical strength. It is a necessity to be a productive member of this team."