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No. 4 Cal Falls To No. 2 Stanford

May 4, 2024
The Bears' first varsity eight at the Big Row.

REDWOOD CITY – Two weeks after sweeping No. 7 Washington, the No. 4 California women's rowing team had a rough day at the Big Row, getting swept by No. 2 Stanford Saturday morning at Redwood Shores in Redwood City. Cal's V8+, 2V8+ V4+, 3V8+ and 4V8+ all suffered losses. The teams had to brave the elements as heavy rain came down throughout the day.
 
"Life is all about how we handle the challenges we're given," Cal head coach Al Acosta said. "I'm very confident we'll go faster at Pac-12s. Stanford is really good and we needed to be at our best today, but unfortunately we weren't. Once we get through exams, we'll be able to get some good training in, have a look at some different lineups and be ready to go for the last Pac-12 Championships up in Sacramento."
 
In the V8+ dual, it was a fairly close race off the start with Stanford holding just a three-seat lead over the first 500 meters. As the boats passed the halfway mark, the Cardinal were ahead by just a bit of open water. The Bears were able to maintain contact through the third 500 meters, however Stanford pressed and extended its lead to a boat length of open water over the closing 500 meters to take the win.
 
In the matchup of the 2V8+, Stanford jumped out to an open water lead through the first 500 meters which it maintained at the halfway mark. The Bears were unable to cut into the deficit over the second half of the race and finished in a time of 6:45.4.
 
In the V4+ dual, the Cardinal got out ahead quickly and built an open-water lead before the teams hit the halfway point. Cal was not able to gain momentum to mount a comeback and finished in a time of 7:35.6.
 
In the race between the 3V8+ boats, it was a close race off the start, but Stanford built a half-boat lead after the first 500 meters that grew to a bit of open water by the halfway mark. The Bears stayed close but weren't able to walk back the deficit over the second half of the race.
 
In the 4V8+ dual, both boats were fairly even through 250 meters before Stanford opened a half-boat lead at 500 meters. As the teams approached the halfway mark, the Cardinal were ahead by a bit of open water and Stanford kept growing its lead over the second half of the race to cruise to victory.
 
The Bears will now have a week off to prepare for the Pac-12 Championships at Lake Natoma on May 19. 
 
Results
 
V8+
1. Stanford – 6:26.6
2. Cal – 6:33.7
 
2V8+
1. Stanford – 6:36.9
2. Cal – 6:45.4
 
V4+
1. Stanford – 7:19.7
2. Cal – 7:35.6
 
3V8+
1. Stanford – 7:00.8
2. Cal – 7:10.1
 
4V8+
1. Stanford – 7:21.0
2. Cal – 7:31.7
 
Lineups
V8+
Coxswain - Piper Melnick
Stroke: Fien van Westreenen
7: Lotta van Westreenen
6: Minou Bouman
5: Antonia Galland
4: Julia Hunt-Davis
3: Ella Wheeler
2: Star Miller
Bow: Amy Furlonger
 
2V8+
Coxswain: Lily Wieland
Stroke: Megan Culbert
7: Sammie Henriksen
6: Tabo Stekelenburg
5: Ella Berger
4: Julia Irmler
3: Shannon Kearney
2: Sophie Ward
Bow: Lola Crampin
 
V4+
Coxswain: Charley Griffiths
Stroke: Miya Meskis
3: Izzy Campbell
2: Ella Lewerenz
Bow: Katie McDermott
 
3V8+
Coxswain: Emily Nowak
Stroke: Angela Szabo
7: Lily Pember
6: Zoe McKernan
5: Lily Rausser
4: Nicole Weber
3: Gwyneth Fagg
2: Francesca Hammerer
Bow: Eve Barrancotto
 
4V8+
Coxswain: Julia Fullington
Stroke: Filippa Ljunggren
7: Sophie Fussell
6: Molly Gold
5: Claire Banks
4: Sydney Koutrouba
3: Tyra Hjemdal
 
2: Kate Nixon
Bow: Charlotte Hill
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal women's rowing, follow the Bears on Instagram (@calwrowing) and Facebook (Cal Crew).