Rowing beats Davis, earns Runyon Cup

Memo to critics of Hornet athletics: Check out these women.

The Sac State women’s rowing team – a bright spot in this ‘99 athletic season – defeated the UC Davis Aggies by 5.9 seconds Saturday in the varsity eight event, 7:01.5 to 7:07.4. They finished their dual meet season undefeated and reclaimed the event’s trophy, the Jean Runyon Cup.

“We knew it was going to be tough because this is Davis’ biggest race,” Hornet rower Megan Warren said. “They’ve been fired up and talking smack about us on their Web site. It was good to go out there and beat them again.”

The San Diego Crew Classic (March 27-28) was the only event of the season where the Aggies finished ahead of the Hornets. In the California Collegiate Rowing Championships (April 17) and Saturday’s event, the Hornets beat the Aggies.

The second varsity eight and varsity four events belonged to the Hornets as well. They lost in the women’s lightweight eight (rowers less than 130 pounds), novice four and second novice eight.

Zack said the first varsity eight race wasn’t a record breaker for his team.

“It wasn’t the best row we’ve had all year,” Zack said. “But if you can row sloppy and still win then that’s a good sign.”

Varsity eight coxswain Becky Devcic said the Hornets match up nicely against Davis.

“We are definitely better than the Aggie,” Devcic said. “The Hornet stung the Aggies today.”

In the eight race, the Hornets stroked slower than Davis and still maintained their lead.

“Davis was rowing more strokes per minute and we were still slightly ahead,” Zack said. “Once they shifted gears, they were dead. An inch here. An inch there and by the time it’s all done, it’s 5.9 seconds.”

After the Hornets’ disappointing showing at the San Diego Crew Classic placed them between 40th and 50th in the national rankings, they have bounced back with a month of strong performances. Before the Davis event, they were ranked 25th by the U.S. Rowing Coaches Poll.

The Pacific Coast Rowing Championships, May 15-16, are next. The winner of the Pac-10 and Sac State’s Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association will be determined in this season finale.

A first-place finish for the WIRA conference is in the Hornets’ sights. However, that path goes through the San Diego State crew, which beat the Hornets twice this year; once by 18 seconds at the San Diego Crew Classic and by 4.8 seconds at the California Collegiate Rowing Championships.

“We’re gonna kick San Diego State’s butt at PCRCs,” Warren said. “If we don’t, we’ll be disappointed but it’s not the end of the world. It’s been a good year.”

Devcic likes the Hornets’ chances against San Diego State.

“We have the potential to beat them but it’s going to be really hard,” Devcic said. “We’re hoping to squeeze out a little more to push it through.”

Zack said the Hornets should be seeded sixth for PCRCs. If they finish at or above the seeding, he’ll be happy.

“If we do that, then it’s been a great year,” Zack said. “We’ll take a trip to England, take the summer off and the do it all over again.”

On June 18-20, Zack’s team will be at Henley-on-Thames, England, for the Henley Women’s Regatta. This non-conference competition spreads the Sacramento State name.

“Sac State will be seen by literally hundreds of thousands of people,” Zack said.