Cal Men’s Rowing Team Dominates Yale in East Coast Sweep

PRINCETON, N.J. – The No. 2 California Golden Bears men’s rowing team capped off an impressive weekend at the Princeton Invitational by securing a clean sweep against the No. 11 Yale Bulldogs in their Sunday morning races on Lake Carnegie. This victory solidifies Cal’s position as a frontrunner in collegiate rowing.

Strong Performances Across All Races

The Bears showcased their strength as they swept all three races against Yale. The Third Varsity Eight (3V8+) began the triumphant streak, finishing at 5:54.16, while Yale crossed the finish line at 6:06.17. Following closely was the Second Varsity Eight (2V8+), which clocked in at 5:48.34, well ahead of Yale’s 6:02.81.

The highlight was the Varsity Eight (V8+) race, where the Bears clinched victory by a narrow margin of less than three seconds, finishing the race at 5:43.24 compared to Yale’s 5:46.09. This close competition underscored Cal’s readiness as they gear up for the remainder of the season.

A Weekend Full of Competitive Spirit

Cal’s successful weekend didn’t just begin with Yale; they demonstrated their skills against some of the nation’s top rowing programs. Facing off against No. 5 Brown, No. 9 Syracuse, and Yale on Saturday, the Bears achieved significant victories. In fact, the V8+ and 3V8+ both notched wins, while the 2V8+ placed second.

The day’s events were rounded off with a challenging match against the formidable No. 4 Princeton, pushing the Bears to improve their performance from earlier in the day. The V8+ and 3V8+ teams triumphed again, with the 2V8+ finishing just short of victory against the Tigers, trailing by less than four seconds.

Looking Ahead: The Dual Against Washington

With the conclusion of their East Coast venture, the Golden Bears are determined to build on this momentum. They will focus on their upcoming rival meet, The Dual, scheduled for April 25, 2026. Cal will host the No. 1 Washington team at Redwood Shores, marking a highly anticipated showdown for the coveted Schoch Cup.

Event Results Overview

Here’s a summary of the results from the Sunday races against Yale:

Varsity Eight (V8+)

• 1st Place: Cal – 5:43.24
• 2nd Place: Yale – 5:46.09

Second Varsity Eight (2V8+)

• 1st Place: Cal – 5:48.34
• 2nd Place: Yale – 6:02.81

Third Varsity Eight (3V8+)

• 1st Place: Cal – 5:54.16
• 2nd Place: Yale – 6:06.17

Lineups for the Races

V8+ Lineup

• Coxswain: Michael Kain
• Rowers: Nemanja Luledzija, Tobias Kristensen, Pablo Moreno, Alexander Baroni, Gennaro di Mauro, Noah Anger, Maximilian Pfautsch, Tom O’Sullivan

2V8+ Lineup

• Coxswain: Ethan Nghiem
• Rowers: Osian James, Rory Menzies, Tim Roth, Matthew Waddell, Xavier Gagnon, Josh Knight, Leo Rosenquist, Jeremy Beale

3V8+ Lineup

• Coxswain: Austin Chen
• Rowers: Mihajlo Dedic, Flynn English, Dan Bradbery, Eddie Bayfield, Evan Gold, William McClean, Thomas Heerding, Nat Gauden

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