Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. – After qualifying for the final with a win in the repechage, Dariush "Tim" Aghai (Skokie, Illinois) and the U.S. men's eight earned a silver medal at the 2017 FISA World Rowing Championships on Sunday in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.

The United States completed the course in 5 minutes, 28.45 seconds behind only the heavily-favored boat from Germany (5:26.85). The U.S. began the race in third but moved into second position in the back half of the race, challenging Germany at points in the last 1000 meters.

Aghai's silver medal adds to a collection that includes gold in the eight at the 2011 World Rowing Under 23 Championships. Among his other international appearances, he finished ninth in the men's pair at the 2015 World Rowing Championships.

The women's eight, which included Badgers Grace Latz (Jackson, Michigan), a 2016 Olympian, and Sophia Vitas (Franklin, Wisconsin), placed fourth in its final in a time of 6 minutes, 9.25 seconds. Romania claimed gold with a time of 6:06.40, while Canada (6:07.09) and New Zealand (6:07.27) rounded out the top three.

The U.S. raced in the fifth position for much of the race but surged late to overtake Great Britain in the final 500 meters to claim fourth.

Earlier in the event, on Friday, Ben Ruble and his men's four placed fourth in the B Final in a time of 5:56.250 in a hotly contested race for places 7-12. Ruble, making his national team debut, finished in 10th place.

Australia, Italy and Great Britain won the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively in the men's four.