LAS VEGAS — USD women's rowing enjoyed a successful first day at the Pac-12 Invite in Las Vegas on Saturday morning, with the Torero 2V8+ finishing second ahead of WSU and USC in the highlight of Day One's action.

The event's first day on Lake Las Vegas started with flat tailwind conditions. San Diego raced in the B flight for all races on Saturday morning, with the 1V4+ first off the line for USD.  Cal, Washington State and USC took a commanding lead off the field, and after 1000 meters, Cal and WSU stayed in the top two positions while USC slipped off the pace. However, USD inched its way up and through the last 500 meters was able to pull even with USC.  As the Toreros crossed the finish line, the race was too close to call.  After the video was reviewed, USC ultimately bested USD by .02 seconds.

The second boat to go down the course for San Diego was the 2V8+. USC started with an early lead with Cal, USD and WSU staying tight through the first 500 meters. Cal jumped out to a big lead, leaving USC in second and the Toreros battling with WSU for third. Coming into the race's halfway mark, USD and WSU started to move up on USC. By 1500 meters in, Cal maintained a length open water with USC, WSU and the Toreros battling bow ball to bow ball. In the last few meters, only a few inches separated places second to fourth, and as they crossed the line, the Toreros surged ahead to come in second.

The last race of the morning was the 1V8+.  Cal got off to a fast start, with USC, USD and WSU mostly even, but the boats quickly began to spread out. Cal moved out to an open water lead, followed by USC, WSU and USD. With 750 meters to go, all boats were one length ahead of the boat behind them. USD started to move in the last 500 meters, but not enough to move out of 4th place.

The action continues Sunday morning at Lake Las Vegas with all boats competing again, starting at 9:20 a.m. USD is set to take on Washington, Oregon State and Washington State.

The regatta host, the Lake Las Vegas Rowing Club, will have live video coverage on its Facebook page, and a link can be found on the Toreros' schedule page.

FULL RESULTS: