May 28, 2010

GOLD RIVER, Calif. - No. 3 California women's crew advanced all three boats to Saturday's semifinals at the NCAA Women's Division I Rowing Championships after Friday morning's heats at Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif., with the Golden Bears' varsity 8+ winning its heat and Cal's second varsity 8+ and varsity 4+ taking second in their respective heats. The Bears, who won the 2010 Pac-10 championship on May 16, hope to add a third national championship to their 2005 and 2006 NCAA team titles.

"The heats at NCAAs are always pretty tough," said head coach Dave O'Neill. "It's the first real look at most of the crews that we've been hearing and reading about all spring, and the competition looks very fast. It was a pretty good day in all, and it's great to be through with the first step."

The top three boats in each of Friday morning's heats automatically qualify for Saturday's semifinals, while the rest move on to the repechage round later Friday afternoon.

Cal's varsity 8+ rowed in the first heat this morning and posted a winning time of 6:19.00 to top four other boats, including second-place USC (6:22.92). Cal's 6:19.00 was the fourth fastest in the varsity 8+ heats. Stanford won the second heat in the fastest time of the morning, 6:16.81. The Bears led for the entire race, gradually increasing its lead over the Trojans as the race went on. Cal's varsity 8+ remained undefeated on the season.

"Our V8 did a nice job staying within themselves and rowing their race," O'Neill said. "They have some good speed, and they've improved each race this spring. They're now focused on next step."

The Bears rowed in heat two of the second varsity 8+ race, taking second behind Stanford with a time of 6:33.58. The Cardinal led from start to finish, with Cal second for the whole race.

The Cal varsity 4+, racing in heat one, trailed Virginia for the entire race and finished in second with a time of 7:17.85. The Bears hung close after the first split, but the Cavaliers jumped out to a three-second lead in the second split and went on to win by six seconds.

"The 2V did a pretty good job, but they have another level in them," O'Neill said. "This race was better than Pac-10s, so we're heading in the right direction. The four did a good job, as well, and both crews will be ready for tomorrow."

The three-day championship regatta continues on Saturday and ends on Sunday.

"The semifinals are always tight racing, and in some ways, it's the most stressful day of the regatta," O'Neill said. "It's really important that all three of our crews race the way we knew they can."

2010 California NCAA Championships Results - May 28

Varsity 8+
1. California 6:19.00, 2. USC 6:22.92, 3. Michigan State 6:25.73, 4. Washington 6:29.29, 5. Washington State 6:30.96

Second Varsity 8+
1. Stanford 6:30.44, 2. California 6:33.58, 3. Wisconsin 6:36.74, 4. Washington State 6:38.86, 5. Michigan State 6:44.89

Varsity 4+
1. Virginia 7:09.69, 2. California 7:17.85, 3. Michigan 7:25.45, 4. Michigan State 7:27.31, 5. Clemson 7:33.07