SAN DIEGO -- Texas' 17th-ranked First Varsity Eight boat qualified for the petite finals of the Jessop Whittier Cup while its Second Varsity Eight and Novice Eight boats each qualified for the grand finals in their respective events as The University of Texas concluded the first of two days of competition on Saturday at the San Diego Crew Classic at Crown Point Shores Park on Mission Bay.
UT's First Varsity Eight boat, which finished the course in a time of six minutes, 55.87 seconds, was just .5 seconds off Tennessee's boat, which earned the third and final qualifying spot of the heat with a time of 6:55.38. Stanford posted the fastest time of the heat with a mark of 6:53.00, while UCLA was not far behind as it crossed the line in 6:54.42. The Longhorns' Varsity Eight boat will compete in the petite finals to be held on Sunday.
"The team is disappointed because they raced very hard," Texas head coach Carie Graves said. "But they will race Stanford and UCLA in dual races next weekend and they look forward to the chance to test themselves again."
Meanwhile, Texas' second race of the day saw its Second Varsity Eight boat qualify for Sunday's grand finals by finishing with the second-fastest time in its heat (7:02.90). Cal posted the top time of the heat at 6:58.80, while Oregon State earned the third and final qualifying slot with a time of 7:14.99.
Texas' Novice Eight boat, the third and final UT boat competing on Saturday, also earned an appearance in the grand finals as it posted the top time within its heat, marking the first time a Texas boat posted the fastest time of its heat in its short history at the Crew Classic. The novice eight boat finished with a mark of 7:11.27, topping second-place finisher Washington State by nearly four seconds. Sacramento State took third in 7:18.02.
The University of Texas rowing team will compete on the second and final day of competition at the San Diego Crew Classic on Sunday.
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