MISSION BAY – The No. 7 California women's rowing team had a successful first day at the San Diego Crew Classic in Mission Bay on Saturday morning with all four boats finishing in the top two places of their respective races and earning a spot in Sunday's grand final stage. The V4+ and 3V8+ won their respective heats with the V4+ defeating No. 3 Washington and the 3V8+ beating No. 4 Texas.
 
In the second heat of the Jessop-Whittier Cup, the V8+ got off to a good start and was among the lead pack. The Bears separated themselves along with Texas with open water ahead of the rest of the field by the midway point. Cal maintained contact with Texas falling behind just three seats in the second half of the race. It was tight down the stretch as the Bears finished just one second behind Texas in a time of 6:28.817.
 
In the second heat of the Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup, the V4+ got out with the lead pack within the first few strokes. The Bears built a four-seat lead over Washington in the first 750 meters. Cal grew its lead to a boat open water over Washington in the final 500 meters and took first place in a time of 7:33.127.
 
In the second heat of the Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy, the 2V8+ got out to a great start and built a two-seat lead over Texas in the first 10 strokes. The Bears and Longhorns separated themselves by open water from the field in the first 1,000 meters as Texas walked back three seats to take a slight lead over Cal. Texas grew its lead over Cal to five seats over the next 500 meters. The Bears were not able to make up any ground over the last 500 meters and finished in second place in a time of 6:50.198.
 
In the sole heat of the Carley Copley Cup, the 3V8+ got out with the lead pack along with Washington and Texas in the first 10 strokes. Cal and Texas separated themselves in the lead with the Bears building a two-seat lead over Texas in the first few hundred meters. Cal extended its lead over Texas to open water as they approached the halfway mark. The Bears were able to maintain their lead and cruised to victory in a time of 6:58.348.
 
"We raced well today," Cal head coach Al Acosta said. "The team did a good job of executing the race plan and setting themselves up to go a little faster tomorrow. There's always some extra energy for the first regatta of the year. Usually that can lead to some scratchy rowing, but I think the team was solid and rowed with good rhythm today."
 
Sunday Race Schedule (all times PT)
9:30 a.m.: Jessop-Whittier Cup Grand Final (V8+)
 
10:06 a.m.: Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup Grand Final (V4+)
 
10:14 a.m.: Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy Grand Final (2V8+)
 
11:10 a.m.: Carley Copley Cup Grand Final (3V8+)
 
San Diego Crew Classic
Saturday Results
 
Varsity 8+: Jessop-Whittier Cup Heat 2
1. Texas – 6:27.626
2. Cal – 6:28.817
3. Notre Dame – 6:46. 854
4. San Diego – 6:55.902
 
Varsity 4+: Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup Heat 2
1. Cal – 7:33.127
2. Washington – 7:39.167
3. Notre Dame – 7:45.783
4. Southern Methodist – 7:53.981
5. UC San Diego – 8:23.024
 
Second Varsity 8+: Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy Heat 2
1. Texas – 6:43.553
2. Cal – 6:50.198
3. Notre Dame – 7:09.925
4. San Diego – 7:11.536
 
Third Varsity 8+: Carley Copley Cup Heat
1. Cal – 6:58.348
2. Texas – 7:04.422
3. Washington – 7:06.434
4. USC – 7:24.437
5. San Diego – 7:37.001
6. UC San Diego – 7:49.188
 
San Diego Crew Classic Lineups (Saturday)
V8+
Coxswain: Piper Melnick
Stroke - Fien Van Westreenen
7 - Lotta Van Westreenen
6 - Minou Bouman
5 - Toni Galland
4 - Julia Hunt-Davis
3 - Ella Wheeler
2 - Star Miller
Bow - Amy Furlonger
 
2V8+
Coxswain: Lily Wieland
Stroke - Izzy Campbell
7 - Sammie Henriksen
6 - Tabo Stekelenburg
5 - Ella Berger
4 - Julia Irmler
3 - Shannon Kearney
2 - Katie McDermott
Bow - Lola Crampin
 
V4+
Coxswain: Charley Griffiths
4 - Della Luke
3 - Sophie Ward
2 - Miya Meskis
1 - Megan Culbert
 
3V8+
Coxswain: Emily Nowak
Stroke - Lily Pember
7 - Zoe McKernan
6 - Francesca Hammerer
5 - Lily Rausser
4 - Nicole Weber
3 - Gwyneth Fagg
2 - Sophie Fussell
Bow - Ella Lewerenz
 
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