2004 SEASON IN REVIEW they got it. MEN’S SQUAD In the varsity eight race, the Huskies bolted out of the gates to build a quick lead on the Bears in the first 300 meters. Cal was not able to overcome WINDERMERE CREW CLASSIC the early deficit, finishing three seconds behind the Husky boat. In the second annual Windermere Crew Classic, all three Golden Bear The second varsity eight was also victimized by a quick Washington boats went undefeated for the second straight year. The varsity eight, start. The Bears tried to make up ground over the middle 500 meters, but second varsity eight and freshman eight all came away from Redwood the lead built by Washington was too much to overcome. The Bears Shores unscathed, but some races were decided by less than three seconds. finished five seconds behind the Huskies. In the most anticipated, and closest, race of the regatta, the varsity eight Cal’s freshman eight avoided the sweep by Washington, winning its race beat No. 3 Princeton by just over two seconds. Cal held a slight lead for by almost six seconds. much of the 2000 meters, and was able to hold off a strong final push from the Tigers for the win. Coming into the race, the Bears and Tigers both were STANFORD DUAL ranked at No. 3 in the USRowing preseason poll. Cal also posted wins After a tough loss to Washington, the Bears came back to win their 15th against Yale and Pennsylvania. consecutive Scwabacher Cup. Cal defeated Stanford in all three races, and The second varsity eight had a tough race with Princeton as well, winning now leads the all-time series between the schools 54-18. be a mere three seconds. However, the JV’s other races were not nearly The varsity eight won its race in convincing fashion, finishing nine as close. The Bears were victorious over both Yale and North Carolina by seconds ahead of the Cardinal. The Bears finished the regular season with 12 seconds. a 4-1 record, including winning its sixth straight Copley Cup at the San In their first race as members of Cal Crew, the freshmen posted Diego Crew Classic. impressive victories over Sacramento State, Stanford and Pennsylvania, The second varsity eight had a much closer race, winning by just over winning by an average of 13 seconds. The Bears beat Sacramento State by two seconds. The freshmen continued to impress, winning their race by 20 seconds, Stanford by nine seconds and Pennsylvania by 11 seconds. eight seconds to finish the regular season undefeated. SAN DIEGO CREW CLASSIC PAC-10 CHAMPIONSHIPS In a star-studded field of nationally ranked crews, Cal’s varsity eight The Bears finished second to Washington in all three varsity races to came out on top, winning its sixth straight Copley Cup over heavily finish second in the team standings. Cal had won the previous six Pac-10 favored Washington. The Bears got out of the gate quickly and established team titles before losing to Washington by one point. Cal’s freshman eight a small lead over Washington and Northeastern. Over the next 1000 meters was the lone champion on the day for the Bears. The top seeded freshmen they found their rhythm and began to build on the early lead. At the 1500- stroked to an open water, nine-second, victory over second place Washington meter mark Northeastern made their move, posting the fastest split in the State. field, but it was not enough to catch the Bears. At the finish it was the Bears The varsity eight raced proved to be the most exciting, and closest, race who claimed the Cup, with Northeastern and Washington finishing second of the day. The second seeded Bears got out of the gates quickly to establish and third respectively. a small lead, and through the first 500 meters the Bears extended that lead Cal’s second varsity eight was not able to repeat as Sharp Cabrillo Cup to seven seats. Over the next 1000 meters Cal held their lead while champions, finishing second behind Washington. The Bears and Huskies Washington and Oregon State seemed to battle for the second place were locked in a close race for the first 1000 meters, but at the half way position. But with the fastest last 500 split in the field, and a very fast last mark the Huskies began to pull away, eventually finishing six seconds 200 meters, the Huskies shot past Cal to take their second straight Pac- ahead of the Bears. 10 title. For the second week in a row the Cal freshman eight stroked to an open water finish over the rest of the competition. The Bears captured their second straight Derek Guelker Memorial Cup with an eight second win IRA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS over Stanford. Oregon State, Washington, USC and UC Davis rounded out With strong performances from all four Cal boats, the Bears came away the field. from New Jersey with a fifth place team finish at the 102nd running of the IRA National Championships. Harvard won its second straight Ten Eyck OREGON STATE DUAL Team Championship, with Washington, Princeton, Cornell and Cal rounding out the top five teams. In their second dual race of the season, the Golden Bears swept all races The varsity eight captured the bronze medal for the second year in a row; against visiting No. 13 Oregon State. The much-improved Beavers came finishing third behind undefeated Harvard and Pac-10 champion to Redwood Shores ready for a good race; they got what they wanted. Washington. The varsity eight finished the year with just one loss during The varsity eight race proved to be the closest of the day. The Bears got the regular season. off to a fast start and built a lead that they would never relinquish. Cal The second varsity eight fell just short of claiming its fourth straight finished just over four seconds ahead of the Beavers. national title. The JV boat finished fourth in its grand final behind The second varsity eight and freshman eight races were much more lop- undefeated Washington, Harvard and Minnesota. sided than the varsity race. Cal’s second varsity boat finished seven Cal’s freshman eight claimed the national title, for the first time in four seconds ahead of Oregon State, while the freshman eight posted another years, with a three second victory over second-place Harvard. The young fast race, beating the Beavers by nine seconds. Bears finished the season with a Pac-10 title, national title and the distinction of being one of the only undefeated crews in the country. WASHINGTON DUAL The men’s open four also claimed a national title, with a dominating In the much anticipated race between Washington and Cal, the Huskies performance over two strong Harvard squads. Both Harvard A and B had left Redwood Shores with bragging rights, and the coveted Schoch Cup. beaten Cal in the opening heats, and in the repechage; but in the grand final Washington was looking for redemption from their disappointing third the Bears came away with an upset win over the favored Crimson. place finish in the Copley Cup finals at the San Diego Crew Classic, and 14 2005 Men’s and Women’s Crew Media Guide visiting Huskies for the first time since 1990. The Huskies avoided a sweep WOMEN’S SQUAD by winning the novice eight race by a commanding 20 seconds. The varsity eight race was neck and neck for the entire 2000 meters, but BRITISH COLUMBIA DUAL the Bears were able to gain a large enough lead in the beginning to hold on The Bears started their season off on a good note, winning all races for the win. The second varsity eight also came down to the last 500 meters, against visiting University of British Columbia. Each Cal boat won their with the Bears stroking to the finish two and a half seconds ahead of respective race by at least 20 seconds, with the novice eight finishing 31 Washington. seconds ahead of the Thunderbirds. STANFORD DUAL WINDERMERE CREW CLASSIC The No. 2 Bears won their second consecutive Big Row against cross- For the second year in a row, the Golden Bears went undefeated at the town rival Stanford. Every Bear boat crossed the finish line first, winning Windermere Crew Classic. The varsity eight, who were ranked No. 11 in by an average of 14 seconds over the Cardinal. The varsity eight raced to the USRowing/CRCA preseason poll, proved preseason rankings don’t a seven second, open water, finish over the Cardinal, capping off an mean anything, beating two top 10 teams over the two day event. The Bears undefeated regular season. took care of No. 8 Michigan State in their first race of the regatta, then The second varsity eight jumped out to a commanding lead in the first capped off the weekend with a win over No. 7 Virginia. 1000 meters, finishing over 20 seconds ahead of Stanford. The second varsity eight also finished the regular season undefeated. Cal raced two SAN DIEGO CREW CLASSIC varsity four boats, and both finished at least five seconds ahead of Stanford. The No. 11 Bears won their second straight Jessop-Whittier Cup at the The Bears’ novice eight competed against Stanford’s varsity lightweight 31st annual San Diego Crew Classic. The strong head wind and outgoing eight, and was victorious by 11 seconds. tide made the conditions tough for a fast race, but the Bears charged through the elements to take a slight lead through the first 1000 meters.