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GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- The Sacramento State women's rowing team, competing in its second regatta of the spring at Lake Natoma, saw its varsity eight and second varsity eight both defeat Kansas State by open water at the Hornet Invitational.

Today's racing featured a morning and afternoon session, and the Hornets competed a varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four and second varsity four in both sessions. The teams raced on a 2,000 meter course, and the Hornet Invitational also featured crews from UC San Diego, Saint Mary's and Cal Poly Humboldt.

The Hornets' varsity eight has now defeated Kansas State on five straight occasions, which includes victories in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Sacramento State's second varsity eight had a big day, defeating a pair of Kansas State boats in the morning, and coming back to beat a pair of UC San Diego crews in the afternoon. Overall, the second varsity eight, which won both races by open water, went 4-0 today.

The Hornets' varsity eight handily won its morning race with a winning time of 6:48.4, beating both Cal Poly Humboldt and Kansas State by over 10 seconds. In the afternoon, UC San Diego won the varsity eight with a time of 6:54.5, while the Hornets were just three seconds back at 6:57.5.

The second varsity eight won its morning race with a 6:57.0, besting Kansas State (7:05.3) by over eight seconds. In the afternoon, the Hornets' 2V8 had little trouble against UC San Diego, as their 7:02.6 was just shy of six seconds faster than the Tritons' time of 7:08.5.

The Hornets' varsity four won its afternoon race with a 7:56.9 in a six-boat field. The boat finished second in the morning to Kansas State. Sacramento State's second varsity four also competed in both of those races.

"Overall, we had a pretty good day," Sacramento State 22nd-year head coach Mike Connors said. "We had some good wins against quality opponents. All of our boats have more upside, and we will get faster. I was especially happy with our 2V8, winning both of their races by open water."

The Hornets return to action March 29-30 when the team travels south to compete in the San Diego Crew Classic at Crown Point Shores.

SACRAMENTO STATE'S LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT (morning and afternoon)
cox - Emma Goldsmith, stroke - Kaylee Godwin, 7 - Daria Okhremtchuk, 6 - Nieka Marais, 5 - Harper Waring, 4 - Ella Holmes, 3 - Mackenzie Murray, 2 - Ruth Brooks, bow - Valarie Reed

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT (morning and afternoon)
cox - Corey Pantega, stroke - Gabriella Glaser, 7 - Olivia Zanni, 6 - Madi Smith, 5 - Amaka Okam, 4 - Britain Fehd, 3 - Dailyn Francia, 2 - Emma Doddridge, bow - Katherine Macias

VARSITY FOUR (morning and afternoon)
cox - Ella Barrow, stroke - Pearl Gaston, 3 - Bryleigh Nixon, 2 - Nela Stehlik, bow - Emma Stockton

SECOND VARSITY FOUR (morning)
cox - Savannah Keith, stroke - Emma Hallums, 3 - Lauren Mannerino, 2 - Jamisen Rasmussen, bow - Emily Lopez

SECOND VARSITY FOUR (afternoon)
cox - Michelle Arredondo-Blanco, stroke - Emma Hallums, 3 - Lauren Mannerino, 2 - Eliana Garcia, bow - Emily Lopez

SACRAMENTO STATE'S RESULTS

MORNING

VARSITY EIGHT
1. Sacramento State  6:48.4
2. Cal Poly Humboldt  6:58.6
3. Kansas State  6:59.0

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT
1. Sacramento State  6:58.7
2. Kansas State  7:05.3
3. Kansas State N8  7:10.7

VARSITY FOUR
1. Kansas State  7:34.1
2. Sacramento State  7:47.6
3. Cal Poly Humboldt  7:54.9
4. Kansas State 2V4  7:59.2
5. Sacramento State 2V4  8:03.7
6. Cal Poly Humboldt 2V4  8:24.7

AFTERNOON

VARSITY EIGHT
1. UC San Diego  6:54.5
2. Sacramento State  6:57.5
3. Cal Poly Humboldt  7:16.0

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT
1. Sacramento State  7:02.6
2. UC San Diego  7:08.5
3. UC San Diego 3V8  7:34.5

VARSITY FOUR
1. Sacramento State  7:56.9
2. UC San Diego  8:00.7
3. UC San Diego 2V4  8:04.5
4. Cal Poly Humboldt  8:05.9
5. Sacramento State 2V4  8:29.1
6. Cal Poly Humboldt  2V4  8:37.6