PAC-12 DUAL - VS SMU

While it doesn't feel like the season has been underway very long, we're actually now approaching the championship phase. The different invitationals allow for great efficiency of multiple teams for any given weekend, like the #4 Stanford Women with Iowa/SMU this week. These formats allow for a lot of races and competitors in a very streamlined season, and probably allow our student-athletes to minimize missed school time compared to other sports. But, while we've had a lot of races, it sure feels like it has gone by fast!

Well, this week has been about as interesting and positive as any other week. To put the results in context, it might be helpful to look at the cMax statistical rankings. While these aren't official, are supposed to be "fun", and only show the 1V8 position, they are potentially helpful to predict progress and future potential. The Women's rankings are here.

By this criteria, Stanford did better than expected. #4 Stanford was predicted to win. But, the margin of victory was still in view, since Stanford is gearing up for a Texas rematch and competition against upstarts Princeton and Yale. The 1V8 beat Iowa by 18.0 seconds v. a predicted 14.2, and beat SMU by 5.5 v. a predicted 8.8. While the results are not exactly comparable, SMU rowed faster in the afternoon than in the morning v. Cal, where Cal's time was 5.6 slower than Stanford. The 1V8 performance was impressive in both races but SMU is probably a team to watch in the NCAAs.

The 2V8, 3V8 and 1V4 also won their races by even stronger margins. Only the 2V4 lost their race to Iowa, but still beat SMU. We're definitely encouraged overall by this result and look forward to PAC-12s where Stanford is still favored to repeat as champions.

Read the goStanford writeup here.