The SMU rowing team fared well in its trip to California, claiming second place at the San Diego Crew Classic in the Women’s Collegiate Varsity Cal Cup this past weekend, March 27-28.

The race began early Saturday morning and the Mustangs’ first varsity eight took fifth place, which was good enough to advance to the finals later that day. SMU blazed through the water and finished with a time of 7:31.24. First place went to the University of British Columbia with a final time of 7:24.90, while Occidental College took third at 7:35.02. Rounding out the top five were Santa Clara and Central Oklahoma in fourth and fifth, respectively.

SMU’s second varsity eight was almost equally impressive, finishing its heat race in third place at 7:22.89. They just slipped by the University of San Diego, which took fourth at 7:23.81. The University of Virginia was first at 7:02.80, and UCLA took second at 7:07.23. Oklahoma finished the top five at 7:26.55.

Due to their strong performance in the heat race, the second varsity eight participated in the Women’s Collegiate JV Petite final on Sunday morning. Sacramento State and UC Davis took first and second, respectively, by a large margin.

The final three spots were decided within two seconds. Conference USA rival Tulsa came out ahead to take third place with a time of 7:11.34, while San Diego took fourth again at 7:12.34. The Mustangs finished fifth at 7:13.20.

SMU’s next competition will not be until mid-April, when the team travels to Oak Ridge, Tenn. to participate in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. The event will occur on April 17-18.