May 15, 2011
GOLD RIVER, Calif. - Second-ranked Cal won its opening race of the day - the freshman 8+ - but the Golden Bears were second to top-rated Washington in each of the next three events and finished as runner-up to the Huskies at the Pac-10 men's rowing championships Sunday on Lake Natoma.
UW accumulated 70 points to Cal's 65 in the team standings for its second straight crown. The Bears and Huskies have captured every Pac-10 title since 1990, with Cal claiming nine championships, most recently in 2009.
"I am proud of the way our guys raced Sunday," head coach Mike Teti said. "The varsity rowed a gutsy race against No. 1 Washington and closed the gap on them from the dual three weeks ago. Clearly, the highlight of the day was the strong performance of our freshman 8. Wyatt (Allen) has done a great job with this group. I am grateful for to the athletes and the coaching staff - Luke (Agnini), Wyatt, Zach (Vlahos) and Paddy (Hough) - for their efforts the last two weeks."
With wind and rain bringing inclement conditions to the course outside Sacramento, the Bears jumped out to a quick start, winning the novice contest by more than seven seconds over Washington. Cal was up by three seconds at the halfway mark and kept extending its advantage through the finish. At the end of 2000 meters, the Bears were timed in 5:52.0 to UW's 5:58.8.
However, the Huskies took the remaining races and did not trail in any of them. UW won handily in both the varsity 4+ (6:29.6 to 6:49.4) and second varsity 8+ (5:41.5 to 5:52.3).
But in the varsity 8+, Cal and Washington remained neck and neck the entire way. Although the Huskies held an advantage at the first 500-meter split, the Bears stayed within two seconds the rest of the race. In the end, UW won in 5:58.2 to Cal's 5:39.9. THe Bears cut nearly a second off their deficit to the Huskies after falling to Washington by 2.7 seconds in Seattle three weeks ago.
Cal has the next two weeks off to train as it prepares for the 2011 IRA Regatta June 2-4 in Cherry Hill, N.J. The Bears' varsity 8+ claimed the national title last season, its 15th IRA crown.
2011 Pac-10 Championships
Team Standings
1. Washington - 70
2. California - 65
3. Oregon State - 48
4. Stanford - 46
5. Washington State - 29
6. USC - 14
7. UCLA - 12
Varsity 8+
1. Washington 5:38.2, 2. California 5:39.9, 3. Stanford 5:51.9, 4. Oregon State 6:02.3, 5. Washington State 6:14.0, 6. UCLA 6:18.8, 7. USC 6:39.9
Cal lineup: Cox: Jonathan Hoon, Nick Lucey, Goran Todorovic, Spencer Crowley, Olivier Siegelaar, Chris Yeager, Samuel Walker, Jack Farthing, Dane Oatman
Junior Varsity 8+
1. Washington 5:41.5, 2. California 5:52.3, 3. Stanford 5:59.0, 4. Oregon State 6:10.7
Cal lineup: Cox: Chelsea Lucas, Matt Dignan, Jovan Popovic, Christoph Caron-Marquis, Jonathan Mcgraw-Bentley, Chris Derenzi, Tord Sund, Cam Gilham, Cameron Klotz
Varsity 4+
1. Washington 6:29.6, 2. California 6:49.4, 3. Oregon State 6:57.9, 4. Washington State 7:13.2
Cal lineup: Cox: Mira Patel, Scott Goddard, Isaac Holden, Mike Perretta, Steve Marino
Freshman 8+
1. California 5:52.0, 2. Washington 5:58.8, 3. Oregon State 6:13.5, 4. Stanford 6:22.7, 5. Washington State 6:29.7, 6. USC 8:14.0
Cal lineup: Cox: Colby Rapson, Luka Dordevic, Igor Lucic, Pat McGlone, James Scott, Spencer Hall, Christian Reynolds, George Gebhard, Cole Reiser
