May 28, 2006

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. (AP) -The University of California defended its national title by two-tenths of a second Sunday when it edged Brown for second place in the Eights Grand Qualifier of the NCAA women's rowing championship.

Princeton won the Eights title in an impressive 6:36.8510, but it was the race for second and third that would decide the team champion. Although Brown and Cal each finished with 66 points, the Golden Bears won the title because they finished higher in the Eights Grand Qualifier. Princeton was third with 56 points.

Brown led by three seats with 600 meters to go before Cal started to pressure. The two boats were virtually even crossing the finish line. After a four-minute wait, word was announced that Cal finished second with a time 6:43.26 and Brown was third at 6:43.52.

"It was a pretty long wait," Cal coach Dave O'Neill said. "But when we heard 'Second, California,' that was the sweetest time we ever heard the word California."

Brown, which has won four of the previous eight NCAA titles and has never finished lower than third in the team standings, won the Fours in 7:41.10 and the Second Eights in 6:48.77.

"It's a little bittersweet, because we came so close," coach John Murphy said. "We were up about three seats but I knew California was coming up. It was tough, but we'll we back."

Princeton got off to a strong start and never wavered, despite some pressure from Brown midway through. The Tigers Eight was undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally entering the Grand Qualifier.

Asked if it was better to repeat then winning it the first time, O'Neill said: "I'll never forget the first time, but in some respects this was more meaningful."