The Bulldogs made their final home appearance of the season in their final tuneup for the upcoming West Coast Conference and Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association races in two weeks. The Bulldogs women will seek their sixth straight WCC title May 3, while the WCC men will hold an unofficial championship since the WCC does not sponsor men's rowing. The WIRA regatta will be held May 4-5. Racing all three days will be on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif.

The closest race Saturday was between the men's varsity eights. After falling behind by a boat length after 1,000 meters and still trailing by about three seats with 15 strokes to go, Gonzaga sprinted to the finish line and captured about a two-seat victory in 5:56.8 to UC Davis' 5:57.6.

The Gonzaga women's varsity eight had an easier time downing the Aggies, crossing the line in 6:44.3 to UC Davis' 6:55.7.

"It was our best effort of the season," Gonzaga Director of Rowing and head men's coach Dan Gehn said of his men's varsity eight victory. "After three frustrating weeks they put it all together today. I'm pleased with the way they came from behind."

Gehn said the race gives his squad some momentum.

"We can focus on the WIRA's. This helps us out. To have a good race was a positive. We can't hang the banner yet. We have to do well and continue this type of racing," Gehn said.

Women's head coach Glenn Putyrae was equally pleased with the performance of his varsity eight.

"I'm very pleased with the times and the results. We rowed well today, and you like to see that two weeks before the big races. Today was a positive step for us," Putyrae said. "I think today's race puts us in good position for what's ahead. We're getting fast at the right time."

Gonzaga will be idle this coming week.

Gonzaga vs. UC Davis Silver Lake - Medical Lake, Wash.

Men's Varsity Eight - Gonzaga (Mara Oblak, Mark Voorhees, Justin Toenes, Brad Hughes, Jeff Kiely, Dave Johnson, Mike Baisch, Nat Hopper, Nathan Wilson) 5:56.8, UC Davis (Andrew Mittleman, Brett Johnson, Scott McCauley, Adam Donovan, Kyle Polgeram, Mike Dobransky, Justin Roberts, Brent Aboudara, Zack Zoller) 5:57.6.

Women's Varsity Eight - Gonzaga Courtney Haase, Nicole Lustig, Molly Gulsvig, Cynthia Savoca, Breah Neimiec, Jennie Gilpin, Maria Bokulich, Bridget Troy, Christine McKeown) 6:44.3, UC Davis 6:55.7.

Men's Junior Varsity Eight- Gonzaga (Andrea Eberle, Mike Cipriano, Todd Wheeler, Dave Gilbert, Ben Foley, David Berry, Pat Haffey, Robert Richard, Tyson Zevernbergen) 6:11.7, UC Davis (Elizabeth Rutledge, Devon Lumbard, Andrew Brainard, Charley Johnston, Mark Hodges, Mason Albrecht, Mike Vidmar, Brett Spurrier, Claude Rogers) 6:16.8.

Women's Junior Varsity/Third Varsity Eight - Gonzaga JV (Courtney Serpa, Alexis Skipitis, Renee Holl, Kristi Aamodt, Jessica Nestor, Jenifer Gehlsen, Karen O'Hagan, Kaylin Rostron, Sarah Valenti) 7:00.1, Gonzaga Third Varsity (Leizl Alcantara, Cassy Cerny, Andrea Genord, Bethany Mulhall, Carolyn Schepper, Brittany Price, Holly Crea, Ashley Smallwood, Alison Cushman) 7:05.3, UC Davis 7:14.4.

Men's Freshmen Eight - UC Davis (Lydia Russel, Nick Blanchard, Gaelen Williams, Beau Howard, JJosh Behrends, Karlis Biksa, Heath Pope, Adam Ida, Brad Nicoll) 6:13.7, Gonzaga (Justin Compton, Tyson Zevernbergen, Todd Wheeler, Jonathon Thorn, Ben Foley, David Berry, Pat Haffey, Robert Richard, Mike Gallagher) 6:25.2.

Women's Novice Eight - Gonzaga (Melissa Hayes, Cassy Cerny, Andrea Genord, Kaylin Rostron, Renee Holl, Jenifer Gehlsen, Carolyn Schepper, Bethany Mulhall, Karen O'Hagan) 7:11.4, UC Davis 7:19.2.