GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- Making its first-ever appearance at the Big Ten Rowing Invitational, the Hornets were among 19 school that competed on the first day of the event Saturday at Lake Natoma.

The Big Ten Invitational, which takes place over two days (including tomorrow), features 19 programs. That includes all 11 Big Ten teams, five WCC schools, and three ACC squads. Sacramento State is among the five WCC schools competing, and Michigan State is the host school for the regatta.

Among the star-studded field of 19 teams includes eight nationally ranked programs, comprised of No. 1 Stanford, No. 5 Washington, No. 9 Cal, No. 12 Rutgers, No. 16 Ohio State, No. 17 Michigan, No. 20 UCLA, and No. 23 Indiana.

Today's racing included a morning and evening session, and the Hornets competed five boats - varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four, second varsity four and third varsity four.

Sacramento State's varsity eight had a big day, finishing ahead of Wisconsin by over eight seconds in the morning, before returning in the evening to best Gonzaga. The Hornets' top boat finished fourth in the morning, and third in the evening as the crew raced at 9:00 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. In addition, the varsity eight's evening time of 6:36.34 was a season high, and bested fourth-place Gonzaga (6:37.51). 

The second varsity eight finished fifth in the morning, and fourth in the evening, and also posted its season high over 2,000 meters. The boat finished the evening session with a 7:00.89, its top mark of the season.

Also besting Gonzaga was the varsity four in the evening when it posted a time of 7:57.61. The boat's morning time of 7:43.40 was a season best. Complete results from today can be found by clicking here, or the link above the story.

All five Sacramento State boats return to the water tomorrow when the Hornets compete in the second day of the event. That includes the second varsity four (9:36 am), varsity four (9:44 am), second varsity eight (9:52 am), varsity eight (10:00 am) and third varsity four (10:32 am). 

SACRAMENTO STATE LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT (morning and evening)
cox - Manindar VerBrugge, stroke - Kaylee Godwin, 7 - Katherine Macias, 6 - Ella Holmes, 5 - Daria Okhremtchuk, 4 - Ruth Brooks, 3 - Mackenzie Murray, 2 - Nieka Marais, bow - Harper Waring

SECOND VARSITY EIGHT (morning and evening)
cox - Jamisen Rasmussen, stroke - Olivia Zanni, 7 - Madi Smith 6 - Lauren Mannerino, 5 - Juliette Jarotzky, 4 - Amaka Okam, 3 - Mattie Rowlands, 2 - Emma Stockton, bow - Gabriella Glaser

VARSITY FOUR (morning)
cox - Savannah Keith, stroke - Pearl Gaston, 3 - Giselle Uribe Sayah, 2 - Mac Burley, bow - Nela Stehlik

SECOND VARSITY FOUR (morning and evening)
cox - Meghan Hall, stroke - Kabrey Cooper, 3 - Nora Basmajian, 2 - Shannon Stuart, bow - Emily Lopez

THIRD VARSITY FOUR (morning)
cox - Elizabeth Sweet, stroke - Eliana Garcia, 3 - Ava Hart-Tillman, 2 - Vanessa Krikunov, bow - Montana Speckman

VARSITY FOUR (evening)
cox - Savannah Keith, stroke - Pearl Gaston, 3 - Giselle Uribe Sayah, 2 - Mac Burley, bow - Jorja Johnston

THIRD VARSITY FOUR (evening)
cox - Elizabeth Sweet, stroke - Eliana Garcia, 3 - Ava Hart-Tillman, 2 - Vanessa Krikunov, bow - Melissa Jimenez