PARIS – Former California men's rower Christian Tabash '23 earned his first Olympic medal, taking home the bronze for the United States in the men's eight Saturday morning. The U.S. earned a trip straight to the A finals after winning its heat on Monday.
 
The U.S. jumped out with The Netherlands and Great Britain to form the lead pack off the start but fell off the pace and sat in a fight for third position with Germany as the boats passed the 500-meter mark. Tabash and the Americans were able to pull away from the Germans to sit comfortably in third place and a half-boat behind the British and Dutch boats at the halfway mark. The U.S. was able to make a move on The Netherlands in the third 500 meters and pulled up to within two seats with 500 meters remaining in the race. The Americans were nearly even with The Netherlands with 250 meters to go but the Dutch were able to press forward and re-take the advantage and hold on to second place with the U.S. finishing in third in a time of 5:25.28.
 
"We had a good start," Tabash told USRowing. "We were aggressive. I think there was a strong tailwind, which compresses a lot of margins, and I think that one of our strengths is our ability to change speeds. In hindsight, we found it a bit more difficult to close in at the very end. The speeds were quicker; the margins were tighter, and we just left a little too much for too late."
 
For the U.S., it was the first medal in the event since 2008, when the crew also won bronze. It was the 17th time in Olympic history that the U.S. has won a medal in the event.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's rowing, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalMrowing), Instagram (@calmrowing) and Facebook (Cal Crew).