June 3, 2006

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - In a historic day of racing at the IRA championships on the Cooper River, California captured the Varsity Challenge Cup with a nearly two-second victory over Princeton Saturday to give head coach Steve Gladstone his 11th career national title, tying him with Charles "Pop" Courtney for most varsity eight championships in the history of collegiate racing.

The victory was Gladstone's sixth at Cal and first since winning four in a row from 1999-2002. He also led the Bears to the victory stand in 1976. In addition, Gladstone won four championships at Brown between 1981-94. Courtney won all 11 of his titles as head coach at Cornell from 1901-15.

Overall, Cal has now claimed the 15 gold medals in the varsity eight. The Bears were third each of the last three seasons before claiming the crown this year.

Saturday's varsity eight grand final included boats from just two conferences - the Pac-10 and the Ivy League. Cal covered the length of the course in 5:37.71, followed by Princeton (5:39.66) and Brown (5:40.92). Harvard (5:41.96), Washington (5:42.44) and Yale (5:42.84) rounded out the field.

In addition to the varsity eight event, the Bears were second in the second varsity eight petite final, second in the freshman eight grand final, fourth in the pairs grand final, third in the freshman four with cox, and second in the varsity four with cox.

2006 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship Results
Cooper River, Cherry Hill, N.J.

Varsity 8 Grand Final
1. California 5:37.71; 2. Princeton 5:39.66; 3. Brown 5:40.92; 4. Harvard 5:41.96; 5. Washington 5:42.44; 6. Yale 5:42.84

Second Varsity 8 Petite Final
1. Cornell 5:57.37; 2. California 5:57.61; 3. Syracuse 5:59.08; 4. Navy 6:00.3; 5. Boston U. 6:01.11; 6. Princeton 6:01.52

Freshman 8 Grand Final
Order Entry Result 1. Washington 5:38.80; 2. California 5:39.98; 3. Penn 5:44.37; 4. Princeton 5:47.49; 5. Harvard 5:47.52; 6. Wisconsin 5:51.11

Varsity Pairs Grand Final
1. Stanford 6:53.7; 2. Wisconsin 6:56.7; 3. Cornell 7:03.2; 4. California 7:09.38; 5. Rutgers 7:09.94; 6. Princeton 7:20.3

Freshman 4 with Cox Grand Final
1. Stanford 6:42.86; 2. Wisconsin A 6:46.21; 3. California 6:46.51; 4. Oregon St 6:50.22; 5. Princeton 6:51.15; 6. Colgate 6:51.22

Varsity 4 with Cox Grand Final
Order Entry Result 1. Stanford 6:21.42; 2. California 6:28.4; 3. Temple 6:31.64; 4. Gonzaga 6:35.63; 5. Wash St 6:35.85; 6. Hobart 6:39.22

Open 4 with Cox Grand Final
1. Washington 6:26.95; 2. California 6:29.58; 3. Wisconsin A 6:36.06; 4. Wisconsin B 6:45.27; 5. Yale 6:46.28