Dent, Canadian 8+ Claim Silver in Paris
8/3/2024 8:56:00 AM | Rowing, Olympics
PARIS, France -- Rising University of Michigan senior rower Abigail Dent rowed in stroke seat for the Canadian 8+ (eight) as the boat captured a silver medal during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Saturday (Aug. 3).
In a tightly contested event, Canada timed 5:58.84, earning silver in one of the sport's premiere events. It was Romania, the reigning world champions and world record-holders, who took gold in 5:54.39, with Great Britain claiming the bronze in 5:59.51.
The 19-year-old Dent proved her mettle in her Olympic debut as Canada's youngest athlete in the lineup, joining a boat that returned eight members from its Tokyo Olympics gold-medal performance. She rowed in stroke seat throughout the competition, leading to an excellent showing in the repechage and an outstanding performance in the A Final.
Rowing out of the second lane between Italy and Romania, the Canadians had a close view of the fastest boat in the heat. The Romanians got out the quickest, emerging with the lead just 250 meters in with Canada and Great Britain just a few seats back. Canada edged into the lead at 500 meters and they, along with the Romanians, began to gain a bit of separation from the Brits.
Romania took a few seats back about 750 meters in with a frenetic move, but Canada was unphased and continued to look smooth as the boats approached the halfway point. In the second half of the race Romania built off its already-rapid pace, having reached 1,000 meters at 2:56, and their separation grew. The Canadian boat held firmly on to second place, holding off boats from Great Britain and the United States.
Over the final stretch, Dent and Canada powered through a final push from Great Britain to hold on to their silver position. As their boat crossed the finish line, an emotional Dent embraced her coxswain Kristen Kit, and the Canadians celebrated.
Dent is the fifth member of the U-M rowing program to be part of an Olympic medal-winning boat and the second Canadian. Kate MacKenzie (2004, 2-, bronze), Kate Johnson (2004, 8+, bronze), and Amanda Elmore (2016, 8+, gold) accomplished the feat for the United States and Janine Hanson (2008, 4x; 2012, 8+; both silver) medaled for Canada.
Dent will return to Ann Arbor this fall to rejoin the Wolverines, where she has already earned two All-America honors, been part of two Big Ten Championship-winning teams, two Big Ten gold medal-winning boats, and been named Big Ten Athlete of the Year.
Results
1. Romania -- 5:54.39
2. Canada -- 5:58.84
3. Great Britain -- 5:59.51
4. Australia -- 6:00.73
5. United States -- 6:01.73
6. Italy -- 6:07.51
Players Mentioned
