Best Of

we’ll lose to CAL. Cook it. They have too much speed, speed, speed this year.

Zach Durfee is pale, rested, released on parole as a member of the Hells Angel's, and not ready

"and then its back to the cozy shack for butt crack." - @puppylove_sugarsteel

By Scott Hanson Seattle Times staff reporter

The Huskies certainly know a lot about the team that figures to be the biggest roadblock in their attempt this weekend to win a third straight men’s Intercollegiate Rowing Association national title.

That’s because this will be the third time in five weeks that UW, ranked No. 2, will battle top-ranked California.

Washington defeated California by a half-second in the annual dual race April 26 on Montlake. The Huskies and Golden Bears switched positions in the national rankings after that outcome, with UW moving to No. 1 and Cal to No. 2.

Two weeks ago, California avenged that loss, defeating the Huskies by about 1.5 seconds in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s rowing championships in Gold River, Calif.

While there will be many other traditional rowing powers competing this weekend, including Ivy League teams Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton and Yale (ranked Nos. 3-6), all eyes will be on Washington and California.

The Huskies will begin their quest for a 21st national title with heat races Friday on the Cooper River in New Jersey. The finals are Sunday morning.

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Washington coach Michael Callahan declined to talk for this story and no rowers were made available.

It’s clear that the Huskies will need a great performance to beat Cal. That’s what they delivered at the dual race against the Golden Bears, who had four Olympians in their boat that day, including a pair of two-time Olympians.

The Huskies trailed by 1.7 seconds halfway through that race, then rallied strongly. With about 40 meters left, the two boats appeared about even, then UW surged late for a victory.

The race was so close that Husky coxswain Nick Dunlop wasn’t positive which team had won when UW crossed the finish line.

The stakes will be higher this weekend when the two teams will undoubtedly meet again in Sunday’s final. The winner of the season series between the two teams will likely be national champions, too.

I knew what was coming and I still laffed

I will quietly end myself now, thanks