GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Cal women's rowing team continued its streak of success this spring, sweeping all 14 of its races at the Lake Natoma Invitational in Gold River. Now midway through the regular season racing slate, the Golden Bears have continued to challenge themselves against some of the top crews in the nation, racing this weekend against another talented field including No. 7 Stanford and No. 8 Brown. Cal, ranked No. 2 in the latest USRowing/CRCA Coaches' Poll, showed its speed and consistency, earning its third consecutive sweep of the spring.

"Halfway through the season is a good time to see if we've fixed what we've been trying to fix, and I think we're getting there" said head coach Al Acosta. "The most important thing is that the team is racing hard every time they go down the course and they are being very supportive of each other as we go through different lineups. The regatta was run without a hitch. I'm glad that the teams who traveled across the country got in some beautiful California conditions."

With an eight-team field of crews from across the nation, Cal opened the 2018 Lake Natoma Invitational on Saturday morning taking on crews from Gonozaga, Notre Dame, and Sacramento State. The Golden Bears picked up wins in the first varsity eight, second varsity eight, and varsity four events, while the second varsity four won its heat to advance to grand final.

After a midday break, the teams returned to the water, this time with Cal matched up against Brown, Gonzaga, and San Diego. The Golden Bears won all three championship events while the third and novice eights finished 1-2 in a heat that also featured Alabama.

The Bears resumed action Sunday morning with Cal's A boat winning the grand final of the novice/third varsity eights. Cal then squared off against No. 7 Stanford, No. 8 Brown, and Notre Dame in the championship events, sweeping all three races.   

Cal will be back in action onSaturday, April 21, for the annual Cal/Washington Dual at Redwood Shores. One of the richest rivalries in the history of collegiate rowing, Cal was won the Simpson Cup each of the last for years, though Washington edged Cal last season for the Pac-12 and NCAA title. The Huskies and Golden Bears currently occupy the two top spots in the USRowing/CRCA Coaches' Poll.

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

Results
Saturday, April 14 – Morning Session
Women's First Varsity 4+: 1. California - 7:01.3; 2. Notre Dame - 7:29.2; 3. Gonzaga - 7:39.3; 4. Sacramento State - 7:42.7               
Women's Second Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:28.5; 2. Notre Dame - 6:44.6; 3. Gonzaga - 6:52.3; 4. Sacramento State - 6:56.3
Women's Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:15.7; 2. Gonzaga - 6:33.0; 3. Notre Dame - 6:34.1; 4. Sacramento State - 6:47.2
Women's Second Varsity 4+ – Heat 1: 1. California - 7:15.2; 2. Brown - 7:27.6;  3. Gonzaga - 7:49.4; 4. Sacramento State - 8:10.5­

Saturday, April 14 – Afternoon Session
Women's Third Varsity 8+/Novice 8+: 1. California (A) - 6:40.9; 2. California (B) - 6:53.3; 3. Alabama - 7:06.2
Women's Varsity 4+: 1. California - 7:08.9; 2. Brown - 7:18.7; 3. Gonzaga - 7:38.8; 4. San Diego - 8:30.0
Women's Second Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:29.5; 2. Brown - 6:37.8; 3. Gonzaga - 6:55.8; 4. San Diego - 6:58.3
Women's Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:19.5; 2. Brown - 6:31.1; 3. Gonzaga - 6:41.4; 4. San Diego - 7:00.3
Women's Second Varsity 4+ – Grand Final: 1. California - 7:09.0; 2. Stanford - 7:17.2; 3. Brown - 7:18.7; 4. Notre Dame - 7:20.4

Sunday, April 15
Women's Third Varsity 8+/Novice 8+: 1. California (A) - 6:40.9; 2. California (B) - 6:52.1; 3. Alabama - 7:01.0
Women's Varsity 4+: 1. California - 7:18.0; 2. Brown - 7:26.5; 3. Stanford - 7:32.6; 4. Notre Dame - 7:45.4
Women's Second Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:34.2; 2. Stanford - 6:43.0; 3. Brown - 6:44.2; 4. Notre Dame - 7:07.7
Women's First Varsity 8+: 1. California - 6:34.8; 2. Stanford - 6:43.8; 3. Brown - 6:47.4; 4. Notre Dame - 7:02.7