April 29, 2010

Rancho Cordova, Calif. - LMU aims for its second West Coast Conference women's rowing championship as the five conference schools hit the water on Friday at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, CA. The annual event began in 1997 and Gonzaga has dominated the event, winning 12 of the 13 titles. Loyola Marymount is the only other school to capture the title, winning the championship in 2006.

The West Coast Conference added women's rowing to its list of championships in 1997, with five of the league's eight member schools - Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Saint Mary's, San Diego, and Santa Clara - fielding teams. The event has been held at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, California, since its inception.

Fans can follow the action live on the WCC's Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/WCCSports).

The Zags reclaimed their crown in 2007 after Loyola Marymount made history in 2006, taking the WCC title to end Gonzaga's nine-year reign at the top of the conference. Although the two teams finished even in the points standings, the Lions took first in the I-Eight race at Lake Natoma to claim the championship over the Bulldogs.

LMU has placed in the top-three in each of the last six championships, including last year's third-place finish.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Race Times
I-Four Race - 9:20 AM
II-Eight Race - 9:40 AM
I-Eight Race - 10:00 AM

Point Distribution
I-Four
1. 5 points
2. 4 points
3. 3 points
4. 2 points
5. 1 point

II-Eight
1. 10 points
2. 8 points
3. 6 points
4. 4 points
5. 2 points

I-Eight
1. 15 points
2. 12 points
3. 9 points
4. 6 points
5. 3 points

Directions to Lake Natoma
From Highway 80:
Heading West from Auburn or East from Sacramento or San Francisco take the Sierra College Blvd. exit (in the City of Rocklin) and turn South on Sierra College Blvd. In about 6 miles Sierra College Blvd. becomes Hazel Ave., continue South through the town of Orangevale and finally across the American River. Your first left after the river is the Aquatic Center. Turn left onto Gold County Blvd./Nimbus Rd. Follow the road into the Aquatic Center parking lot.

From Highway 50:
Heading West from Lake Tahoe or East from Sacramento or San Francisco take the Hazel Ave. (Exit 21). Go North onto Hazel Ave. Proceed approximately .5 to Gold County Blvd./Nimbus Rd. (the second stop light) turn right. Follow the road into the Aquatic Center parking lot.