WEST WINDSOR, New Jersey – Racing under sunny skies on Mercer Lake, the Cal women's rowing team put together another complete team effort on Saturday morning, with all three boats advancing to the grand finals of the 2017 Women's Division I Rowing Championships. The second varsity eight and first varsity four won their heats for the second consecutive day while the varsity eight finished second against a stacked field. Cal was one of just three schools to send all three boats to the grand finals, joined by Washington and Michigan.

Sunday will mark the conclusion of the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships and see both the team and event national champions crowned. Points are awarded based on finish in every race, with the overall points leader claiming the team championship. Cal captured its third NCAA Championship last season, winning the second varsity eight and varsity four titles, while taking second in the varsity eight. Cal finished nationals with 129 points, edging Ohio State by three point to snap the Buckeyes streak of three consecutive titles. Cal has finished in the top three at NCAAs each of the last eight seasons, a streak that began back in 2008.

The Bears opened Saturday morning with a thrilling race in the first A/B semifinal for the first varsity eight. Cal was joined by Washington, Texas, Ohio State, Brown, and Wisconsin in the six-team heat, with only the top three teams earning a spot in Sunday's grand final. Facing relatively calm conditions, the Bears got off to a strong start, pulling ahead of the pack after the first 250 meters. Washington charged ahead of Cal by the midway mark, but it was the Pac-12 powers leading the field, with a half-length lead over the third and fourth-place boats. Texas and Ohio State closed within two seats of the Bears over the final 500 meters but the Golden Bears showed their resolved and powered through the finish to take second, beating the third-place Longhorns by 0.34 seconds.  

The exciting finish earned Cal a spot in tomorrow's grand final, where the Bears will compete in the final event of the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships, racing against Washington, Texas, Stanford, Michigan, and Yale. The highest-scoring event of the weekend, Cal is looking to win its second NCAA title in first varsity eight and the first since 2013. 

Coming off an impressive performance in Friday's heats, Cal's second varsity eight put together another commanding piece on Saturday, winning the second A/B semifinal. The Golden Bears utilized a strong start and led the rest of the field by almost a full length at the 1000 meter mark. Cal maintained control over the second half of the race, beating second-place Michigan by several seats to secure a spot in the grand final. The 2016 NCAA Champions in the second varsity eight, Cal will look to defend its title tomorrow morning against a field consisting of Washington, Ohio State, Brown, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The Bears closed out the day with another dominate performance by the first varsity four. Competing in the second A/B semifinal, Cal was in control throughout the race and won by open water for the second consecutive day. The Bears will compete in Sunday's grand final against Washington, Michigan, Princeton, Ohio State, and Texas, looking to win their second consecutive NCAA title in the varsity four and their fourth in the last seven seasons in this event.

All racing at the NCAA Rowing Championships is streamed live through the NCAA at NCAA.com. Fans can also follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWCrew), Instagram (@CalWRowing), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWRowing) for updates throughout the weekend.

Results
A/B Semifinal #1 – 1V8: 1.  Washington 6:09.86*; 2. California 6:11.80*; 3. Texas 6:12.14*; 4. Ohio State 6:12.36; 5. Brown 6:21.37; 6. Wisconsin 6:23.30
A/B Semifinal #2 – 2V8: 1. California 6:26.28*; 2. Michigan 6:28.92*; 3. Wisconsin 6:30.19*; 4. Princeton 6:31.97; 5. Stanford 6:33.93; 6. Virginia 6:36.82
A/B Semifinal #2 – 1V4: 1. California 6:58.48*; 2. Ohio State 7:03.80*; 3. Texas 7:04.40*; 4. Stanford 7:09.04; 5. Wisconsin 7:09.93; 6. Virginia 7:21.70
*Advanced to grand final

Sunday Schedule
10:12 am ET – 1V4 Grand Final
10:36am ET – 2V8 Grand Final
11:00am ET – 1V8 Grand Final
Noon ET – Awards Presentation