April 25, 2009

SEATTLE - California's top-ranked varsity 8+ defeated Washington's seventh-ranked varsity 8+, 6:28.99-6:37.31, to win the Simpson Cup for the seventh straight year, and the Golden Bears won two of four races over the Huskies overall on Saturday morning on Montlake Cut. Cal's second varsity + won its race, 6:45.40-6:47.50. Washington claimed wins in the varsity 4+, 7:30.78-7:33.13, and in the novice 8+, 6:55.71-7:09.46.

The varsity 8+ was down two seats after the initial 25 strokes, but the Bears gradually moved away once they settled into their base speed.

The Simpson Cup is awarded to the winner of the annual varsity 8+ race between Cal and Washington.

"We're all very happy about winning the varsity and second varsity eights," Cal head coach Dave O'Neill said. "The V8 was really composed and raced very well. Winning the Simpson Cup means a lot to our program for a number of reasons. Washington always has a good team, and this year is no different. I'm proud of our team."

The varsity 4+ was nearly two lengths back after the first 500 meters and battled back into contention.

The second varsity 8+ established a lead in the first 20 strokes, and it grew to nearly a length at 1000 meters. Washington cut into Cal's lead all the way to the finish, but the Bears held off the Huskies.

"All the changes we made to the second varsity eight certainly had a good effect," O'Neill said. "We expected that one to be a good race, and it certainly was."

Cal next takes on Stanford in another Pac-10 duel on May 2 on Redwood Shores Lagoon in Redwood City, Calif.

"We're looking ahead to next weekend's race against Stanford, and I expect that to be a good race," O'Neill said. "However, we need to stay focused on improving, and there are a lot of areas for us to be better."

California-Washington Duel

Varsity 4+

1. Washington. 7:30.78. 2. California. 7:33.13.
Cal: Cox: Jill Costello, Stroke: Kira Jepson, 3: Avalon Radys, 2: Sam Sartor, Bow: Kelsey Bates.

Novice 8+
1. Washington. 6:55.71. 2. California. 7:09.46.
Cal: Cox: Ariel Suares, Stroke: Charlotte Palmer, 7: Taylor Christensen, 6: Kellie Nolan, 5: Stephanie Stone, 4: Tanya Wolfram, 3: Ali Newton, 2: Tyler Christovale, Bow: Karina Rivera.

Second Varsity 8+
1. California. 6:45.40. 2. Washington. 6:47.50.
Cal: Cox: Katie Luke, Stroke: Adrienne Keller, 7: Bridget Moran, 6: Kaiti Seders, 5: Kirsten Campbell, 4: Shay Seager, 3: Elise Etem, 2: Melissa Herman, Bow: Laurel Kuhn.

Varsity 8+
1. California. 6:28.99. 2. Washington. 6:37.31.
Cal: Cox: Katy Milton, Stroke: Iva Obradovic, 7: Lauren Nowinski, 6: Elena Humphreys, 5: Taryn O'Connell, 4: Nora Franzen, 3: Lou Kinder, 2: Mary Jeghers, Bow: Kristina Löfman.