Gearing up for the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships Saturday at Lake Natomas, the Sac State women?s varsity eight wanted last weekend?s Stanford Invitational to be a challenge.

Racing against nationally ranked Texas and Washington State on a windy day in Redwood Shores provided sufficient opposition to help get the Hornets? crew in shape. Although they were handily defeated in a series of 2000-meter dual regattas, they walked away better prepared for the WIRAC.

“We schedule competition over our heads to improve,” Sac State head coach Bill Zack said. “I feel we performed well because we lost to strong programs.”

Sac State?s overall record dropped to 3-3 with the losses, however, it remains undefeated in league at 3-0.

The Hornets opened with a morning race vs. Texas, ranked number18 in the country. With a mild headwind, Sac State stayed close at the start. Then Texas pulled away and finished 14 seconds faster with a time of 6:46. Sac State recorded a time of 7:00, five seconds slower than their typical pace.

“Having the wind at our backs helped our boat speed, but we couldn?t catch them at the end,” Zack said.

The varsity eight competed against Washington State, ranked 22nd in the nation, in their second race. High winds created whitecaps in the lagoon, which lengthened afternoon race times. Sac State hung tight again early on, but Washington State gradually distanced themselves and finished with a time of 7:39. The Hornets came in at 7:56.

“The first part of the course is protected by trees from the winds,” Zack said. “Then you reach the bridge at the halfway point and your boat is exposed to a wind tunnel.”

Stanford, Oregon, UC Davis and St. Mary?s rounded out the tough field of Invitational competitors.

The varsity eight will spend this week perfecting their strokes for the WIRAC. They plan on improving by racing the men?s varsity four crew several times for practice, using a speedometer on their boat for accurate training assessment.

As returning champions, the Hornets are one of 24 teams competing in the WIRAC. Six will make the finals.

“I am confident we will be in the top six,” Zack said.