May 16, 2006

BERKELEY - Defending national champion California has earned one of 12 berths in the 2006 NCAA rowing championships to be contested May 26-28 at the Finn Caspersen Rowing Center in West Windsor, N.J.

The Golden Bears, who captured the Pac-10 title last weekend, will compete in the varsity eight, junior varsity eight and varsity four events. A point system that includes results from all three races determines the team winner.

In addition to Cal, the other teams to receive an invitation are: Brown, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Princeton, Stanford, Tennessee, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin and Yale. At-large varsity eights from Boston University, Minnesota, USC and UCLA complete the field.

In the most recent Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing varsity eight poll, Cal is ranked No. 2 behind Princeton. USC rates third, followed by Ohio State and Brown.

Last year, Cal edged Virginia to win its first NCAA team crown, earning 67 points to the Cavaliers' 63. The Bears were fourth in the varsity four race and finished as the runner-up to Virginia in the JV eight. Cal then clinched the title with a two-second victory over Princeton in the varsity eight competition.