The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
San Diego Crew Classic
No. 2 Rowing sweeps San Diego Crew Classic grand finals
03.29.2026 | Rowing
The Longhorns won all four races to conclude the regatta.
SAN DIEGO – No. 2 Texas Rowing won all four of its grand finals to conclude a dominant weekend of racing at the San Diego Crew Classic on the Fiesta Bay-Crown Point Shores of Mission Bay Park Sunday. Texas went up against several of the nation's top programs over the two-day stretch, including No. 5 Washington and No. 10 Cal.
"This was a terrific start to the season, and we're in a pretty good spot," Texas head coach Dave O'Neill said. "Winning four races at the Crew Classic is certainly something to be proud of, and we definitely had to work hard for all of them. This is just the start, and the real work begins."
Texas' victories in the I Eight and II Eight mark the fifth-consecutive year the Longhorns have won those races.
The First Varsity Eight began the morning with an open-water victory in the Jessop-Whittier Cup/Cal Cup Collegiate Invitational, clocking in at 6:32.277 to beat No. 5 Washington (2nd-6:39.126), No. 10 Cal (3rd-6:49.833), UCLA (4th-7:02.479), Washington State (5th-7:08.745), Sacramento State (7:13.549), San Diego (7:22.189) and UCSD (8th-7:45.189).
"The First Eight was pretty good today, and they've been improving consistently the last couple of weeks. There's some good skill, power and length in that crew, and they were impressive today. Each of them is talented, but they've come together as a solid crew."
The I Four won the Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup in 7:41.158, finishing ahead of runner-up Washington (7:42.943), Cal (7:51.162), UCLA (8:03.050), Washington State (8:26.610), Sacramento State (8:31.474), UCSD (8:31.725) and San Diego (8:47.631).
"We did not decide our Four lineup until the morning we flew here, so they were a little bit of a question. They had two terrific races against a quality Washington Four, and that race experience is invaluable. They should be very happy with the way the weekend went."
Texas' II Eight took home the Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy with a final time of 6:50.106. Washington (2nd-6:51.860), Cal (7:07.667), UCLA (7:20.510), Washington State (7:34.588), UCSD (7:40.174), Sacramento State (7:45.840) and UCSD (7:50.563) followed.
"The Second Eight showed some good speed and were pushed by a strong Washington boat. It was good to see them stay focused and cross the line with their bow ahead. That's a much different crew from last year with Katherine Nordheim stroking her first race today. She did a good job and will keep getting better."
The Texas Third Varsity Eight closed the weekend with first-place finish in the Carley Copley Cup in 7:02.946. Texas finished in front of Cal (7:06.082), two of Washington's boats, UCLA and UCSD.
"The Open Eight also had two great races this weekend, and they looked really good. It was the first trip to San Diego for a few of them, and they made the most of the weekend. Bell Ebben and Bella Benke provided some terrific power in the middle of the boat."
Up next, No. 2 Texas travels to Bloomington, Ind., to race Indiana on April 9.
Lineups
I Eight: Amy Werner (Cox), Imy Grey, Lucy Searle, Ilva Boone, Maya Meschkuleit, Marg Van der Wal, Phoebe Wise, Abby Dawson and Rhiannon Luke.
II Eight: Bronwen Holmes (Cox), Katherine Nordheim, Leila Gaston, Chloe Driver, Amelia Gleed, Allie Alton, Savvy Jerome, Nike Utesch and Holly Davis.
I Four: Paris West (Cox), Daniela Thiermann, Giulia Orefice, Jess Colbran and Paula Becher.
III Eight: Evelyn Orsic (Cox), Katelyn Semien, Ellie Rodriguez, Elizabeth Najjar, Bell Ebben, Addy Smith, Bella Benke, Ioanna Asvesta and Alex Rollins.
Players Mentioned
