Cal Battles Washington for Schoch Cup :: Bears' sixth-ranked varsity 8 takes on No. 1 Huskies on Saturday in Redwood Shores

Bears' sixth-ranked varsity 8 takes on No. 1 Huskies on Saturday in Redwood Shores

April 23, 2008

Cal Women Also Host Washington on April 26

BERKELEY - California hosts Washington on Saturday, April 26, in Redwood Shores, Calif. The varsity eight race is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., the second varsity eight race is slated for 9:40 a.m. and the freshman eight race is set to start at 10 a.m. Cal has the sixth-ranked varsity eight and Washington has the top-ranked varsity eight based on the April 23 USRowing/coaches' rankings.

Last year, the Washington men claimed the Schoch Cup (the annual Cal-UW varsity eight race) for the first time since 2004. Cal won the freshman eight race, but the Huskies won the second varsity eight race.

(Cal women's crew will also host Washington on April 26 in Redwood Shores.)

Scouting the Golden Bears
The following is a look at how has Cal fared so far this season:

Pac-10 Challenge - March 29-30 in Redwood Shores, Calif.
Cal opened the 2008 season with successful performances at the Pac-10 Challenge March 29-30 in Redwood Shores, Calif. The Cal varsity eight won all three of its races, including victories over Cornell, UC San Diego and Trinity College. Overall, the Bears won all eight of their races, including second varsity eight triumphs over Cornell and Trinity.

San Diego Crew Classic - April 5-6 in San Diego, Calif.
The Bears last competed in the San Diego Crew Classic, with the varsity eight taking fourth place (5:44.15) in the Copley Cup grand final. Cal placed second (6:05.33) in the novice eight (Derek Guelker Memorial Cup) and third (5:56.58) in the junior varsity eight (Sharp Cabrillo Cup). In the open eight (Joan Ward Memorial Trophy), the Cal B boat was second (6:11.53) and Cal A was third (6:12.53).

Stanford Invitational - April 19 in Redwood Shores, Calif.
Cal lost its varsity eight (6:06.21-6:10.06) and second varsity eight (6:16.13-6:19.73) races to Wisconsin, which is ranked No. 6 in the varsity eight. The Bears' third varsity eight also defeated the Santa Clara varsity eight (6:58.37-7:06.95.).

Cal is coached by Steve Gladstone, who is in his 20th year overall at the helm of the Bears' program. Gladstone is tied with Charles "Pop" Courtney for the most Varsity Challenge Cup Titles (IRA varsity eight national championships) at 11.

Scouting the Huskies
In its most recent competition, Washington swept Oregon State in four races on April 19 at the Montlake Cut in Seattle, Wash. The top-ranked Huskies' varsity eight beat the 15h-ranked OSU boat by more than 11 seconds, 5:46.1-5:57.97. Washington also won the second varsity eight, freshman eight and varsity four races against OSU. Michael Callahan is in his first year as head coach of the Washington men.

Up Next:
Cal Hosts Stanford on May 3 in Redwood Shores
After the Washington dual, Cal hosts Stanford and its ninth-ranked varsity eight on May 3 in Redwood Shores.