DALLAS (SMU) -- The SMU Varsity 8+ crew clocked a 7:01.01 to defeat crews from Central Oklahoma and Alabama in its final race on White Rock Lake for the 2015 season. UCO followed in a close second at 7:03.01, while Alabama finished in 7:05.8 on Saturday morning.

"I'm happy with the win," head coach Doug Wright said. "We still have some work to do before conference so we're going to focus on these next three weeks before conference just trying to find more speed because it's not necessarily about the win, it's about separation and previous times."

This is the third win for the Varsity 8 squad in four races at home this spring.

"I think it helps motivate the members of the other crews," Wright said. "The 1v establishes the precedent for the racing type of mindset that we want to have, and as long as they lead by example like that then the next thing we need to do is just continue to add depth and learn from the 1v's example."

Following the Mustangs' win, the team held a boat dedication ceremony celebrating the support of the program by former rower Lauren Soulis.

"One of our goals, in addition to making boats go fast and community service, is celebrating our people and that's what today is about," Wright said. "Lauren Soulis is one of our people. She's been so gracious over the years and we wanted to recognize her for her support of the program by giving her naming rights to that boat. We're excited about her support and commitment to us as a program."

In the 2nd Varsity 8+ race, Alabama outpaced all other crews crossing the finish line in 7:06.4. SMU trailed in second posting a time of 7:14.52, and UCO was third at 7:24.0. The 3V8+ race kicked off the event with Texas as the first finisher, followed by Alabama in second and SMU in third.

The Crimson Tide were the victors in both 4s events with its 1v finishing in 7:53.4 and its 2v at 8:04.2. Alabama's second crew in the 2v4+/3v4+ race finished second at 8:14.5.

UCO occupied the second position in the v4+ race, while SMU placed third in both events.

The Mustangs are on a three week hiatus from competition before traveling to West Windsor, New Jersey, for the 2015 American Athletic Conference Championship.