To complete its regular season, the UCLA rowing squad is scheduled to host rival No. 11 USC at Marina Del Rey on Saturday morning in a regatta that will feature two teams not only vying for a high seed entering the Pac-10 Tournament but also looking for some late-season momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Although they are not ranked, the Bruins are only a few spots out of the Women’s Collegiate Rowing coaches’ poll.
In fact, UCLA is coming off a strong finish at the Lake Natoma Challenge.
In NCAA rowing, there are three varsity divisions: one four-person team with a coxswain (varsity four) and two eight-person teams with coxswains (first and second varsity eight).
Facing off against No. 16 Tennessee and No. 19 Minnesota in the Lake Natoma Challenge, the Bruins defeated both teams in the first varsity eight competition.
They also came out of the group having defeated both teams in the competition as a whole.
However, the Bruins have not been as successful against the Trojans this season. On April 4, the Bruins placed fourth in the varsity four race behind first-place USC at the San Diego Crew Classic.
The Trojans are also coming off a strong performance at the Charles River Challenge, where they faced off against several top East Coast squads, including No. 6 Virginia and No. 9 Harvard.
USC placed ahead of Harvard in all three divisions but placed behind Virginia in the first and second varsity eight races.
The Lexus Gauntlet may be decided this weekend: With the UCLA rowing team facing the Trojans, five Lexus Gauntlet points are up for grabs.
With the three final rivalry matches of the year taking place this weekend and the Trojans up five points, a winner will likely be decided by Saturday evening.
Compiled by Farzad Mashhood, Bruin Sports reporter.