May 16, 2010

GOLD RIVER - The No. 1 California women's crew won the Pac-10 Championship for the third consecutive season on Sunday at the 2010 Pac-10 Championships at Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif. The varsity 8+ was the lone individual race the Golden Bears won, as Washington won the varsity 4+ and the novice 8+, and Stanford claimed the second varsity 8+ title. In the overall team standings, Cal edged past Stanford for the conference crown, 39.5-39.0, with Washington taking third with 31.5 points. Cal was also the only team to medal in each event.

The Bears led the entire race in the varsity 8+, holding a slim 1:31.61-1:31.79 lead over USC after the first split. Stanford took over second place in the second split and trailed Cal by approximately two seconds after the second and third splits. The Cardinal closed in on the Bears in the final split, but Cal held on for the victory over Stanford, 6:29.90-6:30.80, to win the conference championship.

"We knew the team title was going to come down to the varsity eight, and the crew really embraced the challenge," head coach Dave O'Neill said. "They went out really hard and had the fitness and strength to hold on to the finish. I'm really proud of them. They're a great mix a experience and young enthusiasm, but, most importantly, they're very focused on what needs to be done in order to be fast."

Senior Jill Costello coxed the varsity 8+ for the first time this season.

"Jill did a terrific job in the coxswain," O'Neill said. "It was her first race ever in the V8, and she adds both calmness and inspiration at the same time. We're all very proud and happy for her."

Cal has now won seven team Pac-10 titles (1994, 2004, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10), including the last three in a row and the last six out of seven. The Bears finished in second in 2007.

"Winning the team title means a lot for a few reasons," O'Neill said. "We're all about the team concept within our program, and we really needed every point today. Additionally, I think this was the toughest and deepest field we've ever had in the Pac-10. Being the Pac-10 champions when every program was so fast is really special."

In the novice 8+, Cal led after the first split over Washington, but the Huskies eventually took the lead and never looked back. The Bears slipped to third where they finished in the race. Cal also took third in the second varsity 8+.

Washington's second victory came in the varsity 4+. The Bears took second in that race, although the Huskies didn't make it close, pulling away to a 7:28.10-7:35.00 win.

Cal takes next week off as it prepares for the 2010 NCAA Championships from May 28-30 back at Lake Natoma.

2010 California Pac-10 Championships Results

Final Standings
1. California 39.5 points, 2. Stanford 39 points, 3. Washington 31.5 points, 4. USC 24.5 points, 5. UCLA 22 points, 6. Washington State 17.5 points, 7. Oregon State 8 points

Varsity 8+
1. California 6:29.90, 2. Stanford 6:30.80, 3. USC 6:36.30, 4. UCLA 6:43.60, 5. Washington 6:45.00, 6. Washington State 6:46.80, 7. Oregon State 6:52.20
Cal lineup: cox: Jill Costello, stroke: Kristina Lofman, 7: Iva Obradovic, 6: Kara Kohler, 5: Mary Jeghers, 4: Elise Etem, 3: Shay Seager, 2: Taryn O'Connell, bow: Caroline Rosetti

Second Varsity 8+
1. Stanford 6:44.80, 2. Washington 6:48.90, 3. California 6:50.60, 4. Washington State 6:52.80, 5. USC 6:59.00, 6. UCLA 7:00.80, 7. Oregon State 7:02.70
Cal lineup: Cox: Erica Bellis, 8. Erica Rippe, 7. Bridget Moran, 6. Avalon Radys, 5. Kirsten Campbell, 4. Sam Sartor, 3. Nora Franzen, 2. Laurel Kuhn, 1. Jenn Helssen

Varsity 4+
1. Washington 7:28.10, 2. California 7:35.00, 3. UCLA 7:36.10, 4. Stanford 7:38.80, 5. USC 7:40.30, 6. Washington State 7:48.40, 7. Oregon State 7:50.50
Cal lineup: Cox: Lynn Anderson, 4. Katie Caves, 3. Taylor Christensen, 2. Maggie Simpson, 1. Charlotte Palmer

Novice 8+
1. Washington 6:53.70, 2. Stanford 6:58.00, 3. California 7:01.40, 4. Oregon State 7:02.00, 5. Washington State 7:06.20, 6. UCLA 7:09.10, 7. USC 7:12.10
Cal lineup:Cox: Kathryn Meister 8. Monica Franceschi, 7. Kyndal Mancho, 6. Heather Hargreaves, 5. Kelsey Pedersen, 4. Catherine Shannon, 3. Kristina Dokonal, 2. Erika Grienbenow , 1. Kelly Pray