The Monday Morning Wash

The Washington Crew swept the annual Opening Day Windemere Cup races on the Montlake Cut on Saturday. Patrons of the the Worlds largest attended rowing event were treated to victories by both the Men's and Women's Crews who rowed against intercollegiate, and international competition.

The undefeated Huskies covered the 2,000-meter, yacht-lined gauntlet leading from Lake Washington into the Montlake Cut in 5 minutes, 49.31 seconds. The Polish crew was second in 5:56.48 and Navy was third in 6:00.59.

The Huskies women's varsity also prevailed on the drizzly, overcast morning, winning for the first time in four weeks. The UW women were clocked in 6:35.17, easily defeating Navy (6:50.17) and the University of Melbourne (6:52.38).

Men's Windermere Cup (Varsity Eight)

1. Washington, 5:49.31. 2. Poland, 5:56.48. 3. Navy, 6:00.59

Women's Windermere Cup (Varsity Eight)

1. Washington. 6:35.17. 2. Navy, 6:50.17. 3. Melbourne University (Australia), 6:52.38

The Original Dawgblawg

Nathan Ware bids us adieu till Fall camp opens up in August.

As I wrap up my season on the Blawg, I wanted to have one more good conversation with my friend and fellow blogger, John Berkowitz. Our conversations have become a staple on the Blawg during football season and I figured it was a proper way to conclude the spring football discussion. We talk UW football every Monday during the season.

Steve Kelley on the Women's Basketball Program

On the cover of last season's UW women's basketball media guide, new coach Tia Jackson held a basketball that glowed, white hot. The theme: "Turning Up The Heat." But for some players, that first season got too hot. For others, it was tropically lush.

Instant Impact

We all know that Chris Polk, Devin Aguilar, and Anthony Boyles will make some instant impact in 2008, but here are a few guys arriving in the Fall who are being considered for immediate playing time.

1. TE - Kavario Middleton....The top prospect of the 2008 recruiting class is being counted on to add an instant threat where non exited last year. Kavario is the most eagerly awaited TE at UW since Aberdeen's Mark Breuner. The kid can do acrobatic things going for the ball and gain yards after the catch.


2. CB - Adam Long....The coaches love his speed, and he just may be the fastest kid on the squad in 2008. The Huskies have plenty of depth at corner, so they must like this kid a lot. The move of Forrester over to CB could keep him on the bench unless they envision using his speed on special teams.


3. DT - Ta'amu Alameda.....The undersized UW DL held its own this Spring, but it needs a run stopping giant if possible. This kid is very big, and very strong. The question will he be able to adapt to the speed and footwork of the college game.


4. WR - Jermain Kearse....If you took a good look at the WR's this Spring you noticed that they were talented and green. Kearse can come in and steal a spot.


5. WR - Cody Bruns....Remember guys like Paul Skansi, Chris Juergens, maybe even Steve Largent? Cody is a guy that coaches love because he runs precise routes, gets open, and catches the ball.


6. DE -Senio Kelemente....This guy has the motor and strength to play right away. In most years he would have been the highest rated recruit in the state. If I had to pick one DL who was the most ready to play it would be Senio.


7. DT - Craig Noble....He came up here from California to play early. He will get every chance to compete for a rotation spot in an undersized defensive line.


8. S - Johri Fogerson....I have high hopes for this kid, and I predict he will move over from RB to get a better chance for playing time at safety. He has a nasty streak and can lay a lick.


9. DE - Everette Thompson....He is probably going to RS, but he will get a long look this Fall if he can rush the passer.


10. LB - Kurt Mangum got a step up on the competition by attending his first Spring practice before his HS class graduated. Like any freshman he was swimming out there, but he has great size.

Television

Two of Washington's three non-conference home football games this fall will be televised by ESPN and/or ABC, according to a schedule of the network's Pacific-10 Conference appearances released today.

The Huskies' September 13 contest against the University of Oklahoma will kickoff at 4:45 p.m. (Pacific) and will be televised nationally on ESPN. Washington's October 25 game against the University of Notre Dame will begin at 5 p.m. and will be televised by either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

In addition, Washington was notified that it's Dec. 6 contest at California will be televised by either ESPN, ESPN2 or FSN. Both networks (ESPN and FSN) have selections that day and there are two games on the Pac-10 schedule - with Arizona State at Arizona being the other.

Free Agents

Five players from last year's University of Washington football team have signed free agent contracts with teams in the National Football League following last weekend's NFL Draft, according to league and team reports.

Bay Area natives defensive end Greyson Gunheim (Sebastopol, Calif.) and running back Louis Rankin (Stockton, Calif.) signed with the Oakland Raiders. Cornerback Roy Lewis (Los Angeles, Calif.) and defensive tackle Jordan Reffett (Moses Lake, Wash.) signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And, Seattle-area receiver Anthony Russo (Lakewood, Wash.) signed with the hometown Seattle Seahawks. Offensive lineman Chad Macklin (Visalia, Calif.) signed with the Minnesota Vikings and receiver Marcel Reece (Hesperia, Calif.) inked a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Basketball

Lorenzo Romar and his basletball team got a big break today when Isaiah Thomas passed his ACT which means the sparkplug guard will be able to enroll at UW in the Fall. thomas is exactly the type of player Washington needs on the perimeter to compete for a conference championship. There has been a changing of the guard due to graduation and coaching changes in the PAc Ten this off season. What that means is Washington will return a veteran team that should be ready to compete with the addition of some fine frosh pieces in 2008.

Baseball

Andy Lentz went 5-for-5 and Kyle Conley capped a big weekend with two hits and four RBI as the Washington completed a three-game sweep of USC with a 11-4 win Sunday at Dedeaux Field. The sweep was the Huskies' first-ever over USC in Los Angeles and their first Pac-10 sweep since the first weekend of Pac-10 play last year at Washington State.

Washington (28-16 overall and 8-7 in the Pac-10) took a quick lead, scoring three runs with two outs in the first inning. With the bases loaded on a single, a walk and a hit batter, Brian Pearl was hit by a pitch to force in one run. First baseman Troy Scott, who went 3-for-5, followed with a two-run single up the middle and the UW lead, 3-0.

Softball

Arizona's Taryne Mowatt threw a complete-game no-hitter to lead the 12th-ranked Wildcats past No. 23 Washington, 3-0, on Sunday in Pac-10 softball action. Arizona improved its record to 33-16 and 10-8 in the Pac-10, while the Huskies lost their third straight and fell to 26-21-1 and 5-12 in the conference.

Track

Another NCAA-leading run by junior sprinter Jordan Boase was certainly the performance of the day, but the Washington State track and field teams prevailed over Washington in the yearly dual meet at Mooberry Field.

Golf

The Washington women's golf team received a berth in the 2008 NCAA Central Regional and as the No. 16 seed will compete at the University of Texas in Austin, May 8-10, the NCAA announced Monday.

Washington shot a final-round score of 10-over 365 to finish seventh at the Pac-10 Men's Golf Championships which wrapped up at the Meadow Club, Wednesday.