April 17, 2010

GOLD RIVER - No. 2 California opened up the Lake Natoma Invitational by winning all but one race it competed in on Saturday in Gold River, Calif. The Golden Bears won a total of seven of their eight races, including two wins for the varsity 8+. After first-day action, Cal leads the regatta with 36 points. No. 3 Stanford and No. 13 Washington State are tied for second with 32 points.

"The team had another good day, and I'm really impressed with the consistency of effort we're showing as a team," said head coach Dave O'Neill. "We're gaining some valuable experience, and being at full strength certainly makes a difference. The depth of our team is really making a difference, as well. We'll be pushed tomorrow by Washington State and Stanford, so everyone needs to be prepared for what looks to be the toughest races we've had this year."

The varsity 8+ remained undefeated this season with two victories in Saturday's preliminary races. In the morning session, the boat topped second-place Louisville, 6:24.2-6:43.1. In the afternoon races, Cal topped Tennessee, 6:45.5-6:56.16.

The second varsity 8+ and the varsity 4+ also won both of their races on Saturday. The novice 8+ only competed in the morning session and was victorious. Cal's only loss was by its second novice 8+.

O'Neill was not present at Saturday's races because his wife, Nicole, gave birth to their son, Dash, Friday morning.

"Not being there and getting the results from afar was made much easier when they are so positive," O'Neill said. "There's terrific leadership on our team from all directions, so my absence was not an issue."

The Bears conclude the 2010 Lake Natoma Invitational tomorrow morning.

2010 Lake Natoma Invitational

California Events from Saturday Morning

Varsity 8+ Flight 1

1. California 6:24.2, 2. Louisville 6:43.10, 3. Sacramento State 6:48.3
Cal lineup: Cox: Chelsea Lucas, 8. Kristina Lofman, 7. Iva Obradovic, 6. Kara Kohler, 5. Mary Jeghers, 4. Elise Etem , 3. Shay Seager, 2. Taryn O'Connell, 1.Caroline Rosetti

Second Varsity 8+ Flight 1
1. California 6:33.5, 2. Louisville 6:53.5, 3. Sacramento State 6:59.2
Cal lineup: Cox: Jill Costello, 8. Bridget Moran, 7. Erica Rippe, 6. Kirsten Campbell, 5. Avalon Radys , 4. Nora Franzen, 3. Sam Sartor, 2. Jenn Helssen, 1. Laurel Kuhn

Varsity 4+ Flight 1
1. California 7:22.7, 2. Sacramento State 7:51.1, 3. Louisville 8:09.3
Cal lineup: Cox: Erica Bellis, 4. Katie Caves, 3. Taylor Christensen, 2. Kelsey Bates, 1. Charlotte Palmer

Novice 8+ Flight 1
1. California 6:53.4, 2. Sacramento State 7:24.1, 3. Stanford (scratch)
Cal lineup: Cox: Kathryn Meister, 8. Kyndal Mancho, 7. Maggie Simpson, 6. Kristina Dokonal, 5. Erika Griebenow, 4. Kelsey Pedersen, 3. Monica Franceschi, 2. Kelly Pray, 1. Catherine Shannon

Second Novice 8+ Flight 2
1. Texas 6:56.20, 2. Washington State 6:58.24, 3. California 7:07.31
Cal lineup: Cox: Lynn Anderson, 8. Bridget Bones, 7. Heather Hargreaves, 6. Sara Emory, 5. Beth Marsolais, 4. Alyssa Machida, 3. Chika Kondo, 2. Anne Motlow, 1. Arielle Rediger

California Events from Saturday Afternoon

Varsity 8+ Flight 1

1. California 6:45.5, 2. Tennessee 6:56.16, 3. Texas 7:11.52
Cal lineup: Cox: Chelsea Lucas, 8. Kristina Lofman, 7. Iva Obradovic, 6. Kara Kohler, 5. Mary Jeghers, 4. Elise Etem , 3. Shay Seager, 2. Taryn O'Connell, 1.Caroline Rosetti

Second Varsity 8+ Flight 1
1. California 6:49.2, 2. Tennessee 6:59.29, 3. Texas 7:11.97
Cal lineup: Cox: Jill Costello, 8. Bridget Moran, 7. Erica Rippe, 6. Kirsten Campbell, 5. Avalon Radys , 4. Nora Franzen, 3. Sam Sartor, 2. Jenn Helssen, 1. Laurel Kuhn

Varsity 4+ Flight 1
1. California 7:38.0, 2. Tennessee 7:52.75, 3. Texas 7:56.08
Cal lineup: Cox: Erica Bellis, 4. Katie Caves, 3. Taylor Christensen, 2. Kelsey Bates, 1. Charlotte Palmer