OCC crew in grand finals

The Orange Coast College varsity eight has advanced to the “grand

finals” of the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association

Championships, after winning its heat Saturday at Lake Natoma in

Folsom.

The grand finals features the best crews out of three heats

competed Saturday. Crews which did not qualify for the grand finals

race in the “petite finals.”

The Pirates won their heat in 6:03, finishing ahead of Western

Washington (6:06) and Colorado (6:07). Gonzaga (6:02) and UC Davis

(6:01) won their respective heats to also advance to the grand

finals, along with Western Washington, Santa Clara and University of

Puget Sound. The race starts today at noon.

OCC’s second novice eight also won their heat and advanced to the

grand finals in their division. The Pirates finished in 6:12 and will

face Loyola Marymount, Colorado, UC Davis, UC San Diego and UC Santa

Barbara today at 9 a.m.

Nelson’s run ends

* TENNIS: Orange Coast College sophomore Ashley Nelson lost in

straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, to a Grossmont opponent Saturday in the

Round of 16 at the Southern California Women’s Community College

Regional Tennis Championships at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.

Nelson then teamed with Leah Becker, but fell short, 6-4, 6-1,

against a doubles duo from San Diego Mesa in the Round of 16

Saturday.

Orange Coast’s Murray headed to Concordia

* BASKETBALL: Orange Coast College women’s basketball player

Lauren Murry, a sophomore forward, will join Coast teammate Nancy

Hatsushi and continue her collegiate career at Concordia University,

announced Coach Mike Thornton.

Murray, who averaged 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds this season to

help the Pirates capture their first state championship, will suit up

for the Eagles next season. An NAIA Division I member of the Golden

State Athletic Conference, the Eagles, coached by Greg Dineen,

finished the 2002-03 season with a 17-15 overall record and were

ninth in the conference standings.

Murray chose the Eagles over San Diego State and will get to play

all four years with Coast teammate Hatsushi. The duo combined for an

overall record of 55-16 in two seasons at Orange Coast. Murray scored

four points, added six rebounds and six assists to help the Pirates

knock off Contra Costa, 69-61, and capture the state championship.

OCC’s Chu eliminated

* TENNIS: Orange Coast College’s Robert Chu lost in the Round of

16 in the Southern California Men’s Community College Regional Tennis

Championships at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego Friday.

Top-seeded Dalibar Ptak of College of the Desert defeated Chu,

6-3, 6-0, ending the Pirates’ season.