Fresh off a double silver medal performance at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Sunday, the Sacramento State women’s rowing team will set out for the gold this weekend at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships at Lake Natoma.

Both the varsity eight and second varsity eight boats won silver at the SIRA championships with the novice eight finishing fourth. Central Florida proved to be the foil for both varsity eight boats as the Hornets lost by just nine and three seconds respectively.

From the outset, it has been the team’s goal to win the WIRA gold as it has done three times in the past, including last year.

“We have more speed than last year,” senior captain of the varsity eight Constance Deslauriers said in a previous interview. “Our goal is to win the junior varsity and the novice as well.”

Sac State won WIRA gold in the varsity eight last year with a school record time of 6:35.9. Loyola Marymount finished just 2.1 seconds behind and the top four spots were separated by just seven seconds.

Benn Hodapp can be reached at [email protected]