California Men’s Rowing Team Opens 2026 Season with a Strong Sweep

Bears Dominate at the California Challenge Cup

NEWPORT BEACH – The California Golden Bears men’s rowing team kicked off the historic 150th season of their program with a commanding performance at the California Challenge Cup. The event, which showcased the depth and skill of the team, saw the fourth varsity eight and the freshmen eight boats excel in their respective dual races, ultimately leading to a prestigious win of the Henry T. Nicholas III Challenge Cup.

Overview of the Competition

The dual races, each stretching 1400 meters, took place on a picturesque Saturday morning at Marina Park in Newport Beach. Competing against top boats from various Southern California programs, the Bears set a remarkable pace that reinforced their status in men’s rowing.

Round 1 Highlights

In the first round, the fourth varsity eight boat set a blistering time of 3:38.35, marking it as the fastest of the day. This performance not only established a strong start against UC Santa Barbara’s 1V8+ but also showcased the team’s dominance right from the outset. Meanwhile, the freshmen eight crew also made their mark with a notable time of 3:56.488, besting UC Irvine’s top boat.

Round 1 Results:

• 4V8+: Cal 3:38.35 vs. UCSB 4:14.459
• Freshmen 8+: Cal 3:56.488 vs. UC Irvine 4:20.278

Round 2 Success

Continuing their momentum, both Cal crews triumphed in the second round as well. The fourth varsity eight boat achieved a time of 3:57.243 against Orange Coast College, while the freshmen eight recorded a time of 3:58.268 against UCLA.

Round 2 Results:

• 4V8+: Cal 3:57.243 vs. OCC 4:06.355
• Freshmen 8+: Cal 3:58.268 vs. UCLA 4:14.13

The Final Showdown for the Cup

The climax of the event saw a competitive face-off between Cal’s two crews for the Henry T. Nicholas III Challenge Cup. The fourth varsity eight boat established a solid lead early on, reaching the 500-meter mark with confidence. They maintained their pace throughout, finishing the race in 3:55.694, nearly four seconds ahead of the freshmen eight, which concluded in 3:59.955. This thrilling final race encapsulated the spirit of the competition, with both boats achieving commendable times which collectively represented the top finishes of the day.

Final Results for the Challenge Cup:

• Winner: Cal 4V8+ 3:55.694
• Runner-Up: Cal Freshmen 8+ 3:59.955

Coach’s Remarks

Reflecting on the day’s achievements, Assistant Coach Brandon Shald expressed his satisfaction with the teams’ performances. “Both boats came down to Newport with the goal of meeting each other in the final race of the day. We achieved that goal, and it was a great start to the season. We are looking forward to racing next weekend at Redwood Shores,” he stated.

Looking Ahead

With this successful opening, the California men’s rowing team is set to return to Berkeley to prepare for the upcoming Redwood Shores Invitational scheduled for March 7-8. This event promises to continue the excitement as the Bears look to build on their momentum.

Lineups

4V8+ Lineup:

• Coxswain: Jake Bazulto
• Rowers: Travis Jorgensen, Alec Wild, Andreas Simoni, Peter Spira, Jackson Cheetham, Antonio Distefano, Thomas Barbey, Charlie Warren

Freshmen 8+ Lineup:

• Coxswain: Mackenzie Fox
• Rowers: Lucas Salazar, William McClean, Max Campbell-Reide, Eddie Bayfield, James Young, Alex Monissen, Forrester Clark IV, Nicolas Leach

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