Henley-on-Thames, UK - Cal men's crew finished off a historic season in the finals of the Visitors' Challenge Cup Sunday at the Henley Royal Regatta. 

Members of Cal's IRA championship varsity eight advanced to the finals as Joachim Sutton, Maarten Hurkmans, Niki Van Sprang and Alex Wallis defeated Yale, Cambridge and Oxford Brookes & Proteus. A crash within two strokes of the finish line halted Cal's bid for the victory and helped Thames Rowing Club claim the win but didn't take away from a successful competition.

"They raced well and put themselves in position to win," Cal assistant coach Scott Frandsen said. "Joachim steered a perfect course off the start and through the race. He set a great rhythm, and they were able to hold a lead on Thames the entire race.

"I'm proud of how they performed. Unfortunately this is part of racing at Henley. It's what makes the races exciting, but also heartbreaking. Well done to Thames for staying in there." 

The Pac-12 champion JV eight of Mark Brinker, Marcin Pawlowski, Justin Murphy, Sam Horsley, Jordan Vanderstoep, Dylan Raphael, Elliot Rogers, Kyle Flagg and coxswain Julian Venonsky raced in the semifinals at Henley after claiming bronze at the IRA championships. 

Cal's freshmen finished a strong run at Henley in the semifinals on Saturday. Pac-12 champions Jack Gosden-Kaye, Danny Jordan, Hunter Hodges, Leon Ramm, Matt Nestler,Harrison Grant, Cameron Chater, Alex Lilichenko and coxswain John Amorosana defeated Oxford Brookes 'B', Drexel and Imperial College London in the Temple Challenge Cup. 

Henley marks the end of an incredible season for Cal men's crew, complete with team titles at both the IRA and Pac-12 championships. 

"We're incredibly thankful for the alumni and friends that make this trip and our entire season possible.  We'd also like to thank the coaches that put the time in after IRAs for Henley," said Danny Jordan, seven seat in the freshmen eight.