Big Green to Paris: Billy Bender '24 and Oliver Bub '20

"A lot of times, you might rely on a pairs matrix [based on rankings] in deciding the boat, but because we had already rowed together, we knew it was a fast combination," said Bender. "We knew we were two of the better guys and had some of the better results from Speed Order that didn't make the eight. So, we jumped in the pair together and trusted that it would go fast."

It certainly did. Even though Bender and Bub never raced together at Dartmouth—they missed each other by one year—they have plenty of racing experience together with the California Rowing Club.

At the midway point of the final of the Olympic trials, Bender and Bub stood fourth, but they surged ahead over the final 1,000 meters, finishing with the top time of 6:54.64—almost three seconds ahead of second place (6:57.37).

They were Paris bound.

"It came after a pretty long few months of training in Colorado and Sarasota, racing a lot," said Bub. "We were both pushed to our limits. To get it done on the day was pretty special."

"In the weeks after we won trials, it was a little bit of disbelief that we would be going to the Olympics," said Bender. "It was all coming really fast, but then it's right back into your routine. Just because it's an Olympic year, it doesn't change your training."

After trials, Bender and Bub went to California Rowing Club, where they started rowing together in the first place.

"It didn't feel super different then or in the following weeks," said Bender. "Upon arrival to Paris and the Olympic Village where you have all the best athletes from all over the world, then it's important to try and shut out distractions.

"We want it to feel like a normal race as much as possible."

As part of their training for Paris, Bender and Bub competed in World Cup II in Switzerland from May 24-26. There, they finished fourth in the B final. As Wyatt Allen, Betsy and Mark Gates 1959 Head Coach of Men's Heavyweight Rowing said, it showed they are clearly in the mix.

"I can't say enough good things about Wyatt, the Dartmouth Rowing program and the Friends of Dartmouth Rowing," said Bender. "When I committed to Dartmouth, I didn't understand how lucky I was to join the team. I've had absolutely wonderful teammates who have supported me, cheered for me, picked me up when I'm down and pushed me to be better."

Now, they're in Paris with the Olympics quickly approaching. The heats for the men's pair are set for Sunday, July 28 at 5am ET.

Bender and Bub complement each other extremely well, which has helped lead to their success.

"We are very different athletes in our physical capabilities," said Bub. "Hopefully, he feels like he can learn some things from me, and I know I definitely learn a lot from him. The difference between us allows us to see things from the other's point of view. It also leads to really good training; we bounce ideas off each other… and we both move the pair pretty well too."

When asked what got him to this point, Bender said "illogical belief in your abilities."

It also took a relentless determination. When Bender and Bub didn't make the eight initially, they didn't give up. They teamed up and the rest is history.

"It's easy to go home, but it's the guys who refuse to give up who eventually make the team," said Bender. "For every athlete, no matter how good you are, there are going to be times when you're feeling pretty confident about yourself, and there are going to be times when you're questioning if you're good enough or if you're going to make it.

"The guys who make the team and stay on the team for a long time are the guys who never stop doubting themselves."

The belief is there. The ability is there. Now, Bender and Bub have to go out and race like they have countless other times before.

"It's really unusual that you get two guys coming out of the same college program who fit in a small boat together and are able to generate the speed you need to win Olympic trials," said Allen.

"It's a little bit of a cliché, but it's a game of inches," Allen continued. "If they get themselves into the A final [at the Olympics], all bets are off when you're racing for medals."