April 15, 2012
GOLD RIVER, Calif. -
Sunday Results 
The eighth-ranked California women's rowing team finished off an excellent weekend with four grand final victories Sunday at the Lake Natoma Invitational in Gold River, Calif. The Golden Bears' varsity eight boat won its third race of the weekend on Sunday.
Cal was primarily racing against Stanford and Wisconsin in the grand finals.
"It was a terrific weekend for our team, and we took a big step forward," head coach Dave O'Neill said. "There was a fair amount of switching, both planned and unplanned, among the NCAA crews, and everyone responded quite well. Both Stanford and Wisconsin looked to be on form, so it was a good test for us.
"It's great to co-host this regatta with Sacramento State. The work of putting this together by Jenny Simon-O'Neill is greatly appreciated, and a big thanks to all the programs that came from around the country."
Cal's varsity eight topped second-place Wisconsin by nearly four seconds, 6:35.5-6:39. The second varsity eight beat Stanford by five seconds and the varsity four won by four seconds, as well.
The closest race of the day was the freshman eight. Cal edged Wisconsin to the finish line, 6:45-6:46.9.
After competing in a regatta like the Lake Natoma Invitational, an event that has major implications on NCAA pairings, things don't get any easier for the Bears going forward. Next week, Cal welcomes Washington to Redwood Shores for their annual dual.
"The Washington race is always a big deal, and that will certainly be
the case next weekend," O'Neill said. "We have some things to figure out, but we're heading in the right direction."
2012 Lake Natoma Invitational
Sunday California Results
Varsity Eight
1. California 6:35.5, 2. Wisconsin 6:39, 3. Stanford 6:40.3
Second Varsity Eight
1. California 6:37.5, 2. Stanford 6:42.5, 3. Wisconsin 6:52.6
Varsity Four
1. California 7:24.7, 2. Wisconsin 7:28.8, 3. Stanford 7:41.7
Freshman Eight
1. California 6:45, 2. Wisconsin 6:46.9, 3. Washington State 6:58.8
Second Freshman Eight
1 Texas 7:09.1, 2. California 7:11.5, 3. Stanford 7:12.2
