GOLD RIVER, Calif. – Third-ranked California women's crew won the prestigious Lake Natoma Invitational, defeating No. 2 Brown and No. 6 Stanford in the final race of the two-day regatta to capture the team title Sunday morning on Gold River near Sacramento, Calif.

The Bears entered the final race in a tie with Brown, setting up a showdown in the varsity eight between three of the top-six boats in the nation in No. 2 Brown, No. 3 California and No. 6 Stanford. Cal clinched the team title with a nearly five-second victory over Stanford (6:24.5 – 6:29.1). Brown finished in third place with a time of 6:30.0.    

With the win, Cal won the team title with 52 points, while Brown and Stanford tied for second with 46 points.

The Bears also captured the second varsity eight race, edging Brown, 6:32.6 – 6:34.2. Stanford placed third with a time of 6:42.4.

The Bears (7:30.6) placed third in the varsity four race, finishing behind Brown (7:20.9) and Stanford (7:26.5).  

Cal fielded two additional eights with the third and fourth varsity taking the top two spots in the Novice Eight A Finals. The Third varsity crew posted a time of 6:53.2, while the fourth varsity recoded a time of 7:02.1, finishing ahead of third-place San Diego (7:16.8).

Cal will next be in action on April 25, as the Bears face No. 5 Washington on Montlake Cut in Seattle, Wash.

Varsity Eight
Results: 1. California (6:24.5), 2. Stanford (6:29.1), 3. Brown (6:30.0)
Cal Lineup: Lindsay Meltz (coxswain), Kendall Chase, Ingvild Roenningen, Caileigh Filmer, Mia Croonquist, Jacinta Edmunds, Dorothee Beckendorff, Inger Kavlie, Rowan McKellar (bow)

Second Varsity Eight
Results: 1. California (6:32.6), 2. Brown (6:34.2), 3. Stanford (6:42.4)
Cal Lineup: Hannah Christopher (coxswain), Sarah Schwartz, Stephanie Kraemer, Maddie Wolf, Charlotte Passot, Charlotte Siering, Hunter Deuel, Danielle Struck, Roisin Duffy (bow)


Varsity Four
Results: 1. Brown (7:20.9), 2. Stanford (7:26.5), 3. California (7:30.6)
Cal Lineup: Hannah Freeman (coxswain), Bridget Konittinen, Katie Kelly, Savannah Eldridge, Katarina Floyd (bow)


Third Varsity (Cal A)/Fourth Varsity (Cal B)
Results: 1. California A (6:53.2), 2. California B (7:02.1), 3. San Diego (7:16.8)
Cal A Lineup: Jacqueline Holben (coxswain), Victoria Jorgensen, Hailey Drangsholt, Lisa Perrine, Camilla Gardiner, Charlotte Cordova, Katie De Haas, Kate Anderson, Sarah Stoker (bow)
Cal B Lineup: Julia Gallwitz (coxswain), Madeline Cline, Julia McKeon, Lena Kallweit, Monica Murray, Madison Brooks, Katie Evans, Olivia Klinkenberg, Kendra Shutts (bow)