May 17, 2009

Complete Pac-10 Rowing Championships Results in PDF Format | Complete Pacific Coast Rowing Championships Results in PDF Format

GOLD RIVER, Calif. - California won the overall team title at the Pac-10 Rowing Championships in 100-plus-degree weather on Sunday at Lake Natoma. The Golden Bears won the second varsity 8+ and varsity 4+ titles and finished second in both the varsity 8+ and novice 8+ grand finals to collect 70.5 points. They have now won five of the last six Pac-10 Rowing Championships and the last two straight (2008 and 2009). Stanford was second in the team standings with 67 points and Washington was third with 57.

"The team championship means a lot to us," Cal head coach Dave O'Neill said. "All the crews had a responsibility and job to do. Everyone did what needed to be done, so it's great to part of a team that works. I'm proud of everyone. Go Bears!"

The temperature reached roughly 103 while Cal topped the Pac-10 podium.

Cal's varsity 8+ went up against a strong Stanford boat that posted a time of 6:18.6 to win the last race and last grand final of the day. The Bears were second in a time of 6:22.0.

"We raced hard and we have a really fast crew," O'Neill said. "That's a really good Stanford crew, and I think we're bringing out the best in each other. I'm happy with the progress we've made the last two weeks, but it's clear we need to go a bit faster."

Cal's second varsity 8+ defeated the rival Cardinal, 6:35.1-6:36.4, in their grand final, marking the Bears' seventh-consecutive second varsity 8+ conference crown.

"Pretty much every year around mid-April, I start thinking, What are we going to do about the 2V?" O'Neill said. "That's been the case again this season, but earlier in the week I was feeling really good about this crew. The seniors, Kaiti [Seders] and Mel [Herman], did a great job, and the crew has been really clicking, and they were great today.

"We have a good run going with the 2V at Pac-10s. When I think of the depth of the Pac-10 programs, I become even more proud of this streak."

The varsity 4+ won the first Pac-10 crown of the afternoon for Cal, though a fast USC boat led for much of the race. Cal edged the Trojans, 7:20.0-7:20.2.

"Everyone who's been in our program knows the fours race hard every day, and that sure paid off today," O'Neill said. "Before the race we talked about fighting hard, racing a full 2000 meters and never backing down. That's exactly what they did. That USC boat went out really hard, but they never slowed down. It was an impressive race for both crews, and it's great to come out on the positive side."

The novice 8+, rowing in the first grand final of the afternoon, posted a time of 6:47.7, and finished second behind Washington (6:44.0).

"The novice eight did a great job and really turned things around since the Washington dual," O'Neill said. "I give Sara [Nevin, Cal's assistant/novice coach] and all the women on the squad a lot of credit for continuing to work hard. They should be very proud of that medal, and they have a great future ahead."

The Bears' men also won today at Lake Natoma to give Cal a sweep of the Pac-10 team titles.

O'Neill's team also won a pair of races (the collegiate women's open 4+ and novice 4+ events) on Saturday, May 16, in the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships held at Lake Natoma.

The Cal women are expected to earn a berth to the 2009 NCAA Rowing Championships when the NCAA announces its complete list of selections on May 19. The national regatta, hosted by Villanova and including championships for Divisions I, II and III, is slated to run May 29-31 on the Cooper River in Camden County, N.J.

2009 Pac-10 Rowing Championships Results

Team Standings
1. California 70.5 points.

2. Stanford 67. 3. Washington 57. 4. Oregon State 55. 5. USC 49.5. 6. Washington State 37.5. 7. UCLA 29. 8. Oregon 2.

Grand Finals

Novice 8+
1. Washington 6:44.0. 2. California 6:47.7. 3. Oregon State 6:50.9. 4. Washington State 6:58.4. 5. Stanford 7:01.8. 6. USC 7:10.6.
Cal: Cox: Ariel Suares, stroke: Charlotte Palmer, 7: Taylor Christensen, 6: Lillian Meagher, 5: Stephanie Stone, 4: Tanya Wolfram, 3: Karina Rivera, 2: Kira Jepson, bow: Tyler Christovale.

Varsity 4+
1. California 7:20.0. 2. USC 7:20.2. 3. Washington 7:28.8. 4. Oregon State 7:29.3. 5. Stanford 7:32.9. 6. UCLA 7:42.6.
Cal: Cox: Jill Costello, stroke: Sam Sartor, 3: Kelsey Bates, 2: Katie Caves, bow: Vanna Rocchi.

Second Varsity 8+
1. California 6:35.1. 2. Stanford 6:36.4. 3. Washington 6:38.4. 5. USC 6:46.4. 6. Oregon State 6:47.4. 7. Washington State 6:49.2.
Cal: Cox: Katie Luke, stroke: Adrienne Keller, 7: Bridget Moran, 6: Kaiti Seders, 5: Kirsten Campbell, 4: Elise Etem, 3: Shay Seager, 2: Laurel Kuhn, bow: Melissa Herman.

Varsity 8+
1. Stanford 6:18.6. 2. California 6:22.0. 3. Oregon State 6:29.4. 4. Washington 6:29.6. 5. USC 6:36.2. 6. Washington State 6:42.5.
Cal: Cox: Katy Milton, stroke: Elena Humphreys, 7: Lauren Nowinski, 6: Iva Obradovic, 5: Taryn O'Connell, 4: Nora Franzen, 3: Kristina Löfman, 2: Mary Jeghers, bow: Lou Kinder.