GOLD RIVER, Calif. -- Sacramento State advanced its varsity eight to the grand final to highlight the Hornets' first day at the West Coast Conference Championship on Friday morning at Lake Natoma.

There were two heats of racing for each of the four race categories today (V8, 2V8, V4, 2V4), and crews needed to finish in the top three to advance to tomorrow morning's grand finals. Sacramento State's varsity eight placed second in its heat, while the team's second varsity eight, varsity four and second varsity four all placed fourth - narrowly missing out on the grand final, but advancing to a petite final.

The Hornets' second-place varsity eight time in its heat was 6:56.17, trailing San Diego by just one second. 

Sacramento State is racing at the event for the second straight year as an affiliate member of the WCC as the team joined the conference prior to last season. 

There are 10 rowing programs in the WCC, comprised of eight full-time members (Gonzaga, Oregon State, Portland, Saint Mary's, San Diego, Santa Clara, Seattle U and Washington State) as well as two affiliates in Creighton and Sacramento State.

Race times for the Hornets tomorrow morning:
2V4 petite - 8:00
V4 petite - 8:30
2V8 petite - 9:00
V8 grand - 9:45

A video stream of tomorrow's racing will be offered via ESPN+, and live race results will be provided by HereNow for the second day in a row.

All 10 schools are competing in each of the four race categories, except Santa Clara and Seattle U did not field a boat in the second varsity four.

The winner of the WCC Championship receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship, which takes place May 29-31 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Ga.

Last season at the WCC's, the Hornets finished fourth out of nine schools with 33 total points, trailing Oregon State (54), Gonzaga (47) and Washington State (33). Prior to last year, Gonzaga had won nine straight WCC titles.

Results and tomorrow's full schedule can be found in the link above the story.

SACRAMENTO STATE LINEUPS

VARSITY EIGHT
cox - Jamisen Rasmussen, 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
cox - Savannah Keith, stroke - Olivia Zanni, 7 - Gabriella Glaser, 6 - Amaka Okam, 5 - Lauren Mannerino, 4 - Juliette Jarotzky, 3 - Mac Burley, 2 - Emma Stockton, bow - Mattie Rowlands

VARSITY FOUR
cox - Meghan Hall, stroke - Jorja Johnston, 3 - Pearl Gaston, 2 - Giselle Uribe Sayah, bow - Emily Lopez

SECOND VARSITY FOUR
cox - Elizabeth Sweet, stroke - Shannon Stuart, 3 - Eliana Garcia, 2 - Nora Basmajian, bow - Kabrey Cooper