May 19, 1999

San Diego, CA -

The San Diego State women's varsity eight crew team, in just its first full year as a varsity sport, was ranked 18th in the nation in the final regular season collegiate coaches' poll released today by USRowing. The Aztecs were one of six teams from the Pac 10 region to be ranked among the nation's top 20 with Washington and California ranked first and second, respectively.

"In our first year as a varsity sport, our goal was to try to be nationally competitive. We have far surpassed that this season," said SDSU head coach Scott Steckel. "Our name recognition is coming around and people know who we are. Reputation is so important in these rankings and we've succeeded in turning some heads. It's having an impact in our recruiting for next year and our future looks very bright."

The Aztecs finished fifth in the Grand Finals of last weekend's Pacific Coast Rowing Championships in Sacramento, just two seconds behind fourth place Oregon State. Had SDSU beaten the Beavers, the team would have advanced as one of the 15 Division I teams competing in the NCAA Championship beginning May 28. It was the Aztecs' first ever appearance in the Grand Finals. Having competed in previous years at the club level, San Diego State's debut varsity season was highlighted by the school's first Cal Cup title in the San Diego Crew Classic and a first place finish in the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.

In addition, SDSU's women's lightweight eight was ranked eighth in the nation in today's national coaches poll.