May 15, 2005

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - The California Golden Bears finished first in the team competition at the 2005 Pac-10 Rowing Championships held Sunday, May 15, at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova. The varsity eight and freshman eight both won their races.

In the marquee race for the men, the varsity eight race, the Bears got out to a good start, stroking to a lead. Cal held its lead through the 2000 meters continually increasing its lead on trailing Washington. The Bears finished ahead of Washington, Stanford Oregon State, UC Davis and UCLA. This victory left the varsity eight undefeated heading into IRAs.

Cal's junior eight trailed Washington by a consistent two or three seconds throughout the race. In the last 500 meters the Bears made a push, but it was not enough to overcome the Huskies. Cal crossed the finish line one second behind Washington to take the silver medal.

Cal's freshman eight won its third straight title with its win in the grand final. With this win, the Bears remain undefeated on the year and will head into the IRAs confident they can contend for the national title.

The varsity four finished second behind Washington. Washington and Cal traded the lead throughout the race, which finished with the Huskies a mere one second ahead of the Bears.

Pac-10 Championship Results:
Varsity 8
1. California          5:39.4
2. Washington          5:42.4
3. Stanford            5:45.0
4. Oregon State        5:48.8
5. UC Davis            6:01.2
6. UCLA                6:10.7
Junior Varsity 8
1. Washington          5:46.5
2. California          5:47.8
3. Stanford            5:55.8
4. Oregon State        5:56.1
5. UC Davis            6:16.1
6. UCLA                6:25.5
7. Washington State    6:30.7
Freshman 8
1. California          5:51.7
2. Washington          6:00.3
3. Oregon State        6:12.5
4. UC Davis            6:13.2
5. UCLA                6:16.5
6. Washington State    6:24.7
Varsity Four
1. Washington          6:26.6
2. California          6:27.5
3. Stanford            6:51.0
4. Sacramento State    6:52.2
5. Oregon              6:52.6
6. USC                 6:57.8
7. UC Davis            7:15.7
Team Scores:
1. California          69 points
2. Washington          66 points
3. Oregon State        42 points
3. Stanford            42 points
5. UCLA                34 points
6. Washington State    26 points
7. Oregon              5 points