Gonzaga University
WIRA Championships
Zags Win Four Heat Races; Advance To Grand Finals Sunday
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Crew
May 2, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif - For the third-straight year the Gonzaga University women's rowing squad won all its heat races to advance all four boats to Sunday's Grand Final as the first day of the 2009 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) Championships came to a close Saturday. The Zags, who were rowing on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif., have a chance to win their fourth title in five years in both the Varsity 8+ and Junior Varsity 8+. The Varsity 4+ and Novice 8+ also made it to their respective Grand Finals winning their heat races and will now look to reclaim gold after both placing second a season ago.
"All four boats did what they had to do today," stated second year head coach Melissa Flint after all four boats earned a spot in the Grand Finals Sunday. "It was a perfect day for us and we look to continue our success tomorrow."
The Bulldogs Varsity 8+ heat race came down to a battle between GU and West Coast Conference foe the University of San Diego. The Zags, who defeated the Toreros by three seconds on Friday to help capture their 12th WCC Championship title in 13 years, squeaked out another close race over USD. Gonzaga crossed the finish line in 6:44.1, two seconds ahead of San Diego who had a time of 6:46.2. Also advancing out of the heat to the Grand Final with both GU and USD was Saint Mary's College who placed third with a finish of 6:52.1.
Gonzaga will also race Sacramento State University, UC Davis and San Diego State University, the top three winners in the other Varsity 8+ heat, in Sunday's Grand Final, slated for 12:10 p.m.
The Junior Varsity 8+ earned a place in Sunday's Grand Final by being the only boat in its heat to finish with a sub-7 minute time. The Bulldogs finished the 2,000 meter course in 6:58.0. San Diego, who was also second to the Junior Varsity 8+ in Friday's WCC race, finished behind the Zags once again at 7:02.0. Loyola Marymount University rounded out the top three finishers with a mark of 7:14.9.
Along with San Diego and Loyola Marymount, the Zags will race San Diego State, Sacramento State and UC Davis in the Grand Final tomorrow at 9:20 a.m.
The Bulldogs Novice 8+ easily claimed a spot in the Grand Final, cruising to an 11-second victory in their heat race. Gonzaga turned in a time of 7:04.2, ahead of Orange Coast College running second at 7:15.3.
Gonzaga and Orange Coast College will match-up with Western Washington University, UC Davis, Sacramento State and San Diego State at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
The Varsity 4+ boat, coming off a second place finish at the WCC Championships, pulled out a four-second victory in its heat race to earn the Zags final spot in the Grand Finals. The Bulldogs were clocked at 7:38.4, ahead of second place finisher UC Irvine, who had a finish of 7:42.1. San Diego State earned the final spot in Sunday's final, placing third with a mark of 7:45.5.
San Diego, Sacramento State and Santa Clara were the top three finishers in the other Varsity 4+ heat and will face GU, UCI and SDSU at 8:10 a.m. tomorrow.
WIRA CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 1 (Heat Racing)
Varsity 8+
1. Gonzaga, 6:44.1
2. San Diego, 6:46.2
3. Saint Mary's, 6:52.1
4. Santa Clara, 7:15.5
5. UC Irvine, 7.58.0
Junior Varsity 8+
1. Gonzaga, 6:58.0
2. San Diego, 7:02.0
3. Loyola Marymount, 7:14.9
4. Santa Clara, 7:28.7
Varsity 4+
1. Gonzaga, 7:38.4
2. UC Irvine, 7:42.1
3. San Diego State, 7:45.5
4. UC Davis, 7:54.8
Novice 8+
1. Gonzaga, 7:04.2
2. Orange Coast, 7:15.3
3. UC Santa Barbara, 7:17.1
4. Colorado, 7:29.1
5. UC Irvine, 8:05.7
6. Seattle Pacific, 8:07.0
7. Mills, 8:29.2
