Princeton University Athletics
Glenn Ochal '08 Leads USA M8+ To Qualifying Win, Will Return To Olympics
May 24, 2016 | Heavyweight Rowing
Glenn Ochal '08, a bronze medalist with the USA M4+ at the 2012 London Games, will be seeking gold this summer in Rio with the USA M8+, an honor the boat earned Tuesday when it won the 2016 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Five boats competed for the final two spots in the Olympic field, including the Australian M8+, which included 2015 Princeton captain Tim Masters '15. The USA and Australia spent the first half of the race battling for second postition behind Poland, which used an early burst to lead more much of the race.
The USA grabbed second by the midway point and held that spot at the 1500-meter mark, but it left no doubt in the final 500 meters. The Americans moved past Poland with a big final move and earned the spot in 5:29.160. Poland held off Italy for the final position in 5:29.620, while Australia ultimately finished fourth in 5:33.570.
Ochal, who won gold with the Princeton heavyweights at the 2006 Eastern Sprints, has golden experience in the eights; he won gold in the eight at the 2013 World Rowing Cup 3. He will hope to lead the USA back to the medal stand for the first time since 2008, when former Princeton teammate Steve Coppola '06 won bronze in the eights.