University of Washington
California
Washington Displays Depth In Cal Dual Split
April 25, 2015 | Women's Rowing
SEATTLE – Washington women's rowing won the varsity four and the second varsity eight races as the No. 5 Huskies split with the No. 2 Bears at the annual UW vs. Cal dual race Saturday, April 25, on the Montlake Cut.
“I think our performance was encouraging,” UW women's crew head coach Bob Ernst said. “When it comes to the NCAA championships, it's about three boats: the varsity four, the second varsity eight and the varsity eight. They came in here as the No. 2-ranked team in the country, and we beat them in two of the three NCAA events. I'm excited about our depth and young talent. This team has good things in store.”
As winners of the varsity eight race, the Bears won the coveted Simpson Cup for the 11th time in 12 years. The Huskies last beat Cal in the varsity eight in 2013, the last time UW hosted the rivalry.
“I certainly think that this is a process for us right now,” Ernst said. “We have so many young kids on the team, and so many emerging, really good athletes. Cal has a lot of talented, experienced kids on their boat. We didn't match up well enough with them today in the varsity.”
The Huskies began the day with a strong victory over the Bears in the varsity four, winning with a time of 7:13.229 to Cal's 7:18.997.
Cal won its first race of the day in the third varsity eight in 6:31.798, as the Huskies finished in 6:34.030.
Washington won the second varsity eight in 6:30.260 in a tightly contested race. The Bears finished in 6:32.716.
The Bears' win in the varsity eight was their 24th in the varsity series, as Cal improved to 24-15 all-time in the UW/Cal dual in the varsity eight battle for the Simpson Cup.
The Huskies continue their season next week when they host traditional power No. 3 Virginia in the annual Windermere Cup, set for Saturday, May 2 along the Montlake Cut. Follow the Windermere Cup with live results posted immediately with 500-meter splits. Additional updates can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @UWHuskyCrew.
