With a second place finish in the 2000-meter petite final of the Pac-10 Conference Championships, the Sac State women?s rowing team capped off a memorable season ranking eighth on the West Coast.

Sac State entered competition Sunday at Lake Natoma seeded seventh by the Western Region Advisory Committee, which Hornet head coach Bill Zack resides on. Despite not being in the Pac-10, anyone who followed the rules throughout the year was allowed to participate and guaranteed two races because there are only six teams in the league. Sac State?s final conference record ended at 4-0 and 5-3 overall.

“This team?s increase in performance and improvement in the spring is the most I?ve ever had,” Zack said. “They were a little disappointed, but we can only peak for so long.”

Of the three qualifying regattas involving 20 teams last Sunday morning, the top two of each advanced to the grand final. The Hornets raced first against USC, Stanford, UC Santa Barbara, Humboldt State, Saint Mary?s and UC Santa Clara. USC showed why it is ranked third in the country by pulling ahead quickly at the start and securing the win.

“We had no shot at USC and conceded second to Stanford after hanging with them through 1000 meters,” Zack said. “There was a strong headwind and we weren?t pulling.”

Sac State took third in front of Humboldt State with a 7:25 time, sending them to the petite final and eliminating their hopes of competing for the championship. Later in the day, the Hornets raced Western Washington, UC Davis, San Diego State, UC San Diego and Humboldt State.

Leading at 500-meters, Sac State slowed to a dead heat with Western Washington by the halfway point. The Hornets lost by 2.4 seconds in a close finish with a time of 7:17, but defeated local rival UC Davis for the third time this year. Their margin of victory over the Aggies has progressively increased, beating them by 6.8, 7.8 and 10 seconds.

“It hurts to lose both physically and mentally,” Zack said. “We are glad we won the WIRA Championships, but know we?re not one of the top fifteen programs in the country.”

Five years ago Zack tried to create a value system with traditions in the program. Racing hard and fast and not excepting defeat were important factors in becoming a good rowing team. He has provided the tools and knowledge and they have produced at least one significant win or major championship every season since.

The Hornets will lose three key members of the varsity squad for next season. Katie Summy, Alicia Weber and Tammy Forbes are graduating, but five rowers will return and four of them will be in their final year of eligibility.

Varsity eight rower Carrie Hagen was honored as the most inspirational person of all Sac State sports at the Athletic Excellence banquet Saturday. Mieka Boyton received the highest GPA award and Alicia Webber was chosen as the Bookstore Female Athlete of the Year.