The Washington crew will head across the Cascades Saturday to face in-state rival Washington State in the rowing version of the Apple Cup.

A large portion of the team will be making the trip, with about 50 women and 40 men heading over to row against the Cougars, who have given the Huskies some tough competition in the past.

While WSU’s men’s crew is a club team and will be more of a tune-up for the No. 3 ranked Dawgs, the women’s squad is nationally ranked and should make for some close races. Although the Huskies have fared well against the Cougars this year, the memory of losses to them last year may make this head-to-head match even more important.

“They’re good. They beat us last year, twice,” said Bob Ernst, women’s coach and program director. “We want to say that we won this time.”

This weekend’s races will be taking place on the Snake River that slices through Eastern Washington. It’s a slow, broad river, however that shouldn’t make any difference for the Husky crew, which is used to rowing in bays and lakes.

“Our preparation has been the same,” Ernst said. “Honestly, I don’t even know if we are rowing against the current or with it. We’ll see when we get there.”

After a solid regatta in San Diego last weekend, where the UW crew won three out of six races, the team is looking to build on its early-season success and improve its NCAA championships résumé.

This weekend will go a long way in both of those aspects, considering the level of competition on the women’s side and the fact that it is a true road regatta.

“I think it’s really important for our team to compete well on a road trip like this,” Ernst said. “Their boathouse is way out in the country, and it’s going to be different for us. I think to be a great team, you have to be able to win no matter where you’re going.”

Reach reporter Scott Eisen at sports@dailyuw.com.