Alums Bender and Hudgins to Row for USA in the Eight at World Championships

HANOVER, N.H. — A pair of Dartmouth men's heavyweight rowing alums are set to compete for the United States in the World Rowing Championships, which begin on Saturday in Shanghai, China. Both Jacob Hudgins '23 and Billy Bender '24 are part of the eight, as the Big Green make up one quarter of that boat.

"I'm incredibly proud of and happy for Jacob and Billy," said Wyatt Allen, Betsy and Mark Gates 1959 Head Coach of Men's Heavyweight Rowing. "They both gave so much to the program during their time at Dartmouth and it's great to see them representing the U.S. together as members of the men's eight."

Bender is no stranger to international competition at the senior level, after competing in the summer, 2024 Summer Olympics in the pair with Dartmouth alum Oliver Bub '20. As a collegiate rower, Bender was a four-time All-American, earning first-team distinction in each of his final three seasons. As a senior, he stroked the Big Green varsity eight to a third-place finish at the IRA National Championship. He received the Kenneth Archibald Prize this past spring as Dartmouth Athletics' top graduating male athlete.

Hudgins was a three-time All-American himself (twice first team), garnering first team twice as well. Hudgins also has been a member of the United States Under-23 team on multiple occasions.

The championships begin on Sunday, with the men's eight's heats beginning on Thursday, Sept. 25. For more information, please click here.

Schedules