Women's rowing places sixth at Pac-10s
USC did not place higher than third in any race at the Pac-10 Championships.
Merisa Jensen
Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: Sports
The defending Pac-10 Champion USC women's rowing team could not repeat the feat this year as it finished sixth overall at the Pac-10 Rowing Championships on Sunday at Lake Natoma in Sacramento.
The Women of Troy finished 29 points behind the winner, California.
Despite temperatures rising above 100 degrees, the women's varsity four crew had a good showing in the grand final. The team placed third with a time of 7:51.0, which is right where USC coach Zenon Babraj thought they could be.
"The varsity four performed at a good level," Babraj said to USC Sports Information. "I felt that we had a chance to finish either two or three, and we got third."
The varsity eight boat faced tough competition in its race, and held strong until the end when Washington State edged USC for third place. The Women of Troy finished in fourth with a time of 6:46.3.
The varsity eight did well, but the heat and wind played a factor in that race, Babraj said.
"I feel like if it was a different day with different conditions we could have come out with a different result," Babraj said.
The second varsity eight crew finished in sixth, which was a big disappointment to Babraj.
"I felt that they at least could have been in the middle of the pack, but the weather and the tough competition got the best of them," Babraj said. "They could not respond after 1,000 meters."
The 1,000 meter mark was where the second varsity eight lost steam after starting the race strong. The Women of Troy finished with a time of 6:59.8, behind Cal's winning time of 6:50.9.
Babraj was a little disappointed with the Women of Troy's sixth place finish, but said he knew the opposition was strong.
"There is very tough competition in the Pac-10," he said. "All of the coaches recruit well and many of the squads have great depth."
USC was not picked in the NCAA selection show Tuesday. Instead, the NCAA chose one USC varsity eight boat to be in the competition as an at-large selection.
The NCAA Championships take place from May 29 to May 31 at Lake Natoma in Sacramento.
The Women of Troy finished 29 points behind the winner, California.
Despite temperatures rising above 100 degrees, the women's varsity four crew had a good showing in the grand final. The team placed third with a time of 7:51.0, which is right where USC coach Zenon Babraj thought they could be.
"The varsity four performed at a good level," Babraj said to USC Sports Information. "I felt that we had a chance to finish either two or three, and we got third."
The varsity eight boat faced tough competition in its race, and held strong until the end when Washington State edged USC for third place. The Women of Troy finished in fourth with a time of 6:46.3.
The varsity eight did well, but the heat and wind played a factor in that race, Babraj said.
"I feel like if it was a different day with different conditions we could have come out with a different result," Babraj said.
The second varsity eight crew finished in sixth, which was a big disappointment to Babraj.
"I felt that they at least could have been in the middle of the pack, but the weather and the tough competition got the best of them," Babraj said. "They could not respond after 1,000 meters."
The 1,000 meter mark was where the second varsity eight lost steam after starting the race strong. The Women of Troy finished with a time of 6:59.8, behind Cal's winning time of 6:50.9.
Babraj was a little disappointed with the Women of Troy's sixth place finish, but said he knew the opposition was strong.
"There is very tough competition in the Pac-10," he said. "All of the coaches recruit well and many of the squads have great depth."
USC was not picked in the NCAA selection show Tuesday. Instead, the NCAA chose one USC varsity eight boat to be in the competition as an at-large selection.
The NCAA Championships take place from May 29 to May 31 at Lake Natoma in Sacramento.
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