For the second consecutive year, the gold medal for the 2000-meter varsity eight championships in the Western Collegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) belongs to the Sac State women?s rowing team.

Competing against a field of seventeen programs at Lake Natomas last Saturday afternoon, the Hornets defended their title and produced All-WIRA first team selections Megan Warren, Tammy Forbes and Veronica Karpinski. Sac State head coach Bill Zack received 2001 WIRA Coach of the Year honors.

“I give all the credit to the team,” Zack said. “After turning in their two fastest race times of the season against our men?s varsity four at practice Wednesday, I told them all they needed to do was show up and demonstrate what they are capable of and things will take care of themselves.”

Sac State finished both practice regattas under 6:50 and were seeded fifth entering competition by the Rowing Board of Stewards, consisting of five different coaching representatives including Zack.

Breanne Hart, the Sac State coxswain was concerned about the level of motivation that she and her teammates have had this season.

“That comes from within,” Zack said. “We have to raise the level of trust and support for one another. Individuals have to discuss their mental approach, assess their capabilities and come together as a group in order to succeed.”

Sac State responded in their qualifying heat vs. second seeded Western Washington. Starting off with a small lead, the Hornets eventually pulled ahead by several boat lengths and finished five seconds faster than their opponent in a time of 7:00.03.

“It was important for us to go out and win our first regatta because it gave us confidence,” Zack said.

The Hornets waited six hours before the championship race against Gonzaga, UC Davis, Western Washington, San Diego State and San Diego University at 6:00 p.m. Sac State again took command early and finished in first place with a 6:55 time. Gonzaga followed in at 7:00.3, then UC Davis, 7:01.3, and Western Washington, 7.02.

“The three programs close behind us were in a dog fight,” said Zack, who credits his team?s preparation and tough schedule for their performance. “Our goal was to race prominent programs during the season and sustain an NCAA Championship run at the end.”

Sac State will participate in the highly anticipated Jean Runyon Cup vs. local rival UC Davis Saturday at Lake Natomas.

“The Aquatic Center did a great job of running the regattas,” Zack said. “Events like this and next weekend?s could not be put on without their help.”

The Hornets will compete against the best rowing programs on the West Coast in the PAC-10 Championships on May 15. They won the competition two years ago.