Washington men, Cal women defend Pac-12 rowing titles

Gold River, Calif. - The Washington men and California women successfully defended their Conference titles at the 2013 Pac-12 Rowing Championships on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif. Washington continued its undefeated season by hoisting the team trophy for the fourth year in a row, while the Golden Bears captured the league crown for the sixth straight year. Washington won three of the four men’s races, including the varsity eight, while California posted victories in the varsity four and the second varsity eight. The USC women will receive the Conference’s automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, as the novice eight race does not count toward NCAA selections.

[Related video: Trojans take Pac-12 Women's Varsity Eight title]

Washington started the regatta with a win in the women’s freshman/novice eight. The Huskies led from start to finish, crossing the line in 6:57.0. Cal finished second in 7:04.1, and Washington State rounded out the top three in 7:05.5. The Washington men followed suit, capturing the novice eight in 5:54.4. The Huskies jumped out to an early lead an never looked back, finishing more than nine seconds ahead of second place California. The Bears turned in a time of 6:03.7, while the Beavers placed third in 6:19.7. California survived a late charge by UCLA to win the women’s varsity four in a time of 7:23.8, three seconds ahead of the Bruins (7:26.7). UCLA closed the gap over the final 1,000 meters but was unable catch Cal, which led from the outset. Washington came in third in 7:31.1. In the men’s varsity four, Cal turned in a time of 6:35.6 to upend top-seeded Washington. The Huskies hung close through 1,000 meters before the Bears turned on the jets. Washington finished second in 6:39.4, while Oregon State took third in 7:07.5.

[Related video: Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete Seamus Labrum reflects on final year at Washington]

California pulled away from the field in the final 500 meters of the women’s second varsity eight to capture its second gold medal of the day. All seven shells were closely grouped at the 1,000-meter mark, and USC, UCLA and Washington challenged at 500 meters, but the Bears distanced themselves down the stretch, winning in 6:47.7. The Trojans placed second in 6:51.2, and the Huskies finished third in 6:53.2. Washington established an early lead in the men’s second varsity eight and spent the remainder of the race extending it. The Huskies, who turned in a winning time of 6:00.6, widened the gap at each split. California took second in 6:05.4 , and Stanford placed third in 6:22.0. USC, which entered the Pac-12 Championships with a perfect record in the women’s varsity eight, cruised to a victory in the regatta’s marquee event. The Trojans (6:37.8) finished more than four seconds ahead of second-place Washington (6:42.1), and nearly seven seconds ahead of third-place Cal (6:44.7).

[Related video: Scholar-Athlete of the Year Katie Dick talks about her final season with the Cougs]

Washington locked up its fourth consecutive Pac-12 team title with an open water victory in the men’s varsity eight, winning in 5:51.6. Cal and Stanford challenged the Huskies early, but the race’s top-seeded crew pulled away after 1,000 meters. The Cardinal took second in 5:57.0, and Cal finished third in 5:57.6.

Team Standings - Men

1. Washington 71

2. California 60

3. Stanford 50

4. Oregon State 48

5. Washington State 29

6. Colorado 22

Team Standings - Women

1. California 39

2. USC 37.5

3. Washington 36.5

4. UCLA 28

5. Stanford 18

6. Washington State 16.5

7. Oregon State 6.5

Men’s Results

Men’s Varsity Eight

1. Washington 5:51.6

2. Stanford 5:57.0

3. California 5:57.6

4. Oregon State 6:19.3

5. Washington State 6:28.7

6. Colorado 6:57.7

Men’s Second Varsity Eight

1. Washington 6:00.6

2. California 6:05.4

3. Stanford 6:22.0

4. Oregon State 6:30.1

Men’s Varsity Four

1. California 6:35.6

2. Washington 6:39.4

3. Oregon State 7:07.5

4. Washington State 7:23.6

5. Stanford 7:32.1

Men’s Freshman/Novice Eight

1. Washington 5:54.4

2. California 6:03.7

3. Oregon State 6:19.7

4. Colorado 6:30.2

5. Washington State 6:32.8

6. Stanford 6:49.0

Women’s Results

Women’s Varsity Eight

1. USC 6:37.8

2. Washington 6:42.1

3. California 6:44.7

4. UCLA 6:47.3

5. Stanford 6:48.2

6. Washington State 6:51.1

7. Oregon State 7:01.3

Women’s Second Varsity Eight

1. California 6:47.7

2. USC 6:51.2

3. Washington 6:53.2

4. UCLA 6:54.8

5. Stanford 6:58.7

6. Washington State 6:59.6

7. Oregon State 7:03.7

Women’s Varsity Four

1. California 7:23.8

2. UCLA 7:26.7

3. Washington 7:31.1

4. Washington State 7:34.5

5. USC 7:34.6

6. Stanford 7:40.2

7. OSU 7:41.9

Women’s Novice Eight

1. Washington 6:57.0

2. California 7:04.1

3. Washington State 7:05.5

4. UCLA 7:12.0

5. USC 7:13.0

6. Stanford 7:14.3

7. Oregon State 7:18.0