Big Row: Cal Men’s Rowing sweeps all 3 races vs. Stanford

Saturday morning updates:

It’s hardly surprising but satisfying nonetheless. Cal Men’s Rowing swept all three races against Stanford on Saturday morning.

Check out those time differences, particularly for the 3V8. What a dominant performance by the Golden Bears, who will vie for the Pac-12 and IRA titles next.

GO BEARS!

It’s the 86th edition of the men’s Big Row on Saturday morning. The annual rivalry with that South Bay school that has been dominated by California Golden Bears, since Washington is much more of a Cal rival on the water.

I haven’t got the chance to write anything about Cal rowing just yet, but the perennial national championship contender that’s men’s rowing is having an uneven regular season. Bears lost to the defending IRA champs Yale at the San Diego Crew Classic and also lost the Schoch Cup to Washington last weekend. Bears have beaten Oregon State this year as well as Wisconsin at the Stanford Invitational.

Cal graduated Polish Calympian Natan Wegrzycki-Szymczyk, but still returned plenty of experience to the V8 boat that took 3rd at the IRA Championship last year. In men’s rowing, the national championship is solely determined by the result of the V8+ race. Cal has 17 men’s rowing championships in program history, 2nd only behind rugby.

The Big Row is the final dual meet of the season before the Pac-12 Championship and the IRA Championship, both will take place in the Gold River from Sacramento.

Schedule (All Times PST)

9:45 a.m. Cal vs Cal Varsity 4+

10:00 a.m. Third Varsity 8+

10:15 a.m. Second Varsity 8+

10:30 a.m. Varsity 8+

ROW ON YOU BEARS!