GOLD RIVER, Calif. – In a battle between the top two crews in the nation, it was the No. 1 Washington women who prevailed on Sunday morning at Lake Natoma, sweeping all four races at the 2017 Pac-12 Championships. Cal, the No. 2 team in the nation, took second in all four events to finish second in the team standings, dashing the Bears' hopes for a third consecutive conference title.

Washington topped the podium with a total of 45.5 points for its first Pac-12 title since 2003. Cal came in second with 39 points, the ninth time in the last two seasons that the Bears have finished in the top two at the conference championships. Stanford finished third with 31.5 points. 

"I thought we raced pretty hard all the way across the board," said head coach Al Acosta. "The varsity four and JV had really solid races. We have a lot of respect for Washington and how fast they are. Congrats to them, they rowed some really great pieces."

Facing light winds and warm weather Sunday morning, the Bears jumped out to an early lead in the third varsity eight, the first scoring event of the day. However the Huskies surged over the next 500 meters, taking the lead before the halfway mark. Washington held on down the stretch, topping the Bears, 6:21.7 to 6:24.8.

In the varsity four, it was the Huskies who jumped out to an early advatange, though the Bears kept the Huskies close over the first 1500m. Washington, who topped Cal in the varsity four race earlier this season on the Montlake Cut, lengthened its lead over the final 500m to win by a sliver of open water.

Looking to take the momentum back, Cal battled Washington to the finish in the second varsity eight. After the Huskies led by almost a full length with 500m to go, Cal surged towards the finish, edged by only a few seats as the comeback fell just short.

In the final race of the day, the Washington varsity eight avenged its loss earlier this season to Cal, topping the Bears, 6:11.6 to 6:15.4. It was the first defeat of the season for Cal's varsity eight, who bested the top-ranked Huskies in late April for the Simpson Cup. While Washington displayed impressive speed on Sunday, Acosta is confident that his crew will grow from this experience.

"We have two weeks to go to get everyone together and moving in the right direction for nationals," Acosta said. "The varsity will definitely learn from this race, probably more so than any race we've had so far this season. But last year we learned a lot from a loss to Stanford late in the year, it really refocused and recharged us. Hopefully this will do the same."

The Bears now will prepare for the NCAA Division I Women's Rowing Championships, held May 26-28 at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, New Jersey. The NCAA Selection Show will air on NCAA.com on Tuesday, May 16 at 2 p.m. PT. The Bears have finished in the top three at the NCAA Championships each of the last nine seasons, highlighted by last year's national title.

For updates and information on the team throughout the year, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWCrew), Instagram (@CalWRowing), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWRowing). 

Final Standings
1. Washington 45.5
2. California 39
3. Stanford 31.5
4. Washington State 23.5
5. USC 16
6. UCLA 14
7. Oregon State 11

Results
*Women's Novice 8+: 1. Washington 6:32.3; 2. California 6:42.9; UCLA 7:12.7
Women's 3V8+: 1. Washington 6:21.7; 2. California 6:24.8; Stanford 6:47.7; 4. UCLA 6:53.3; 5. Washington St 6:56.5
Women's 1V4+: 1. Washington 6:53.0; 2. California 6:56.4; 3. USC 7:10.0; 4. Stanford 7:12.8; 5. UCLA 7:23.7; Washington State 7:23.9; Oregon State 7:44.4
Women's 2V8+: 1. Washington 6:18.0; 2. California 6:20.4; 3. Stanford 6:28.9; 4. Washington State 6:39.6; 5. UCLA 6:40.7; 6. Oregon State 6:44.9; 7. USC 6:46.7
Women's 1V8+: 1. Washington 6:11.6; 2. California 6:15.4; 3. Stanford 6:19.6; 4. Washington State 6:21.8; 5. USC 6:22.0; 6. Oregon State 6:35.1; 7. UCLA 6:38.8
*Race did not count towards final standings