April 14, 2012
GOLD RIVER, Calif. - Ninth-ranked Stanford women's rowing earned a coveted spot in Sunday's "A" group with a strong effort on the water at the Lake Natoma Invitational Saturday.
The Cardinal captured five races total on the day, with four of those wins coming in the main competition.
California led all teams with 36 points, while Stanford and Wisconsin, with 32 points apiece, edged out Brown (31 points) for the final two spots in Sunday's A Group.
In the morning round, Stanford was matched up with Texas and Sacramento State. The Cardinal swept all three races (I Eight, II Eight, Four) to earn the maximum 18 points. Races in each of the groups of three were scored in increments of 9-6-3 (I Eight), 6-4-2 (II Eight) and 3-2-1 (Four).
The Cardinal Four crossed the line in 7:46.00, nearly five seconds ahead of Texas. The II Eight (6:49.50) breezed to a 12-second win, while the I Eight (6:40.90) won its race by nearly 15 seconds.
In the afternoon, Stanford matched up with Wisconsin and Tulsa. The Badgers captured the Four and I Eight races by 13 and five seconds, respectively, over the Cardinal, but Stanford captured the II Eight race with a seven-second win over the Badgers.
The 14 points earned in the afternoon were enough for the Cardinal to earn its spot in Sunday's A Group. Racing in the A Group begins with the Fours at 8:50 a.m. Sunday.
In Novice Eight action, Stanford's boat finished third with a time of 7:26.4 in the first heat. Unfortunately, the Cardinal missed out on a top two finish, which would have qualified it for Sunday's Grand Final. Instead, the novice eight will take part in the Petite Final at 8:10 a.m. against Texas B, Cal B and Sacramento State.