The Hornet women’s crew earned gold and silver grand final medals in its last appearance at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association this weekend at Lake Natoma.

Sacramento State’s second novice eight A-boat received a gold medal for gliding into first place with a time of 7:19.4, which was 2.6 seconds ahead of second place San Diego State University (7:22.0) and third place UC Santa Barbara (7:22.8). Sac State’s novice eight B-boat finished at 7:46.2.

The Hornets’ second varsity eight crew finished with a silver medal for a time of 7:06.2, trailing behind Gonzaga University’s crew that finished with 6:51.2. San Diego State came in third place at 7:10.5 out of the six boats competing. 

This is the third year in a row the second varsity eight crew has placed with a medal.

Hornet Socheata Guimond, a senior business major, was awarded the second all-WIRA honor as the second varsity eight crew’s coxswain.

“I am really honored,” Guimond said. “I have worked hard for four years and it has paid off. I am very grateful.”

Sac State’s varsity eight finished in fifth place with a time of 7:03.6 in a race of six crews. Gonzaga received first place at 6:47.7, Stanford Lightweights received second and Saint Mary’s College pulled into third.

Novice eight boat finished in sixth place against 10 other crews with a time of 7:25.9. Gonzaga received first at 7:09.6, with San Diego State at second and Orange Coast College in third.

This will be the final time the Hornets will compete in the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association before the move on to compete with Conference USA. 

“I was very happy and excited to place. We fought hard all the way to the finish line,” Guimond said. “I am a little sad because it is my last year but I know Sac State will do well in conferences next year. I’m happy for them to actually have a conference. It’s very exciting.”

The Hornets return to races against UC Davis at the Port of Sacramento on Saturday.

Maikalina can be reached on Twitter at @sh_sports