WEST WINDSOR, N.J.  – Ten pairs of athletes took to Mercer Lake on the evening of Sunday June 19 as time trials for the last Olympic event began in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials II. 

The results of Wednesday morning's final will determine which crew will represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the men’s pair event, pending USOC approval.

Before the final, however, the competitors raced for lane assignments in Sunday night's time trials. 

After qualifying the event at the 2015 World Rowing Championships, Dariush Aghai (Skokie, Ill.) and his pair partner Mike Gennaro (Havertown, Pa.) recognize the importance of starting the week on a good note.

“It went great, just like we planned," said Aghai. "It’s just a time trial so there’s no expectations, no one to race against. It’s just going out and getting a piece under your belt. Just a warm-up on the course and that’s what we did and we’re really happy with it." 

Posting the fastest time of the time trials, Vesper Boat Club's returning London Olympian  Tom Peszek (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and Yohann Rigogne (Besançon, France) stroked the 1900 meter course in 6:44.21.

The USRowing Training Center - Princeton's Nareg Guregian (North Hills, Calif.) and Anders Weiss (Barrington, R.I.) completed the course in 6:46.53 while California Rowing Club's Ryan Shelton (Wrightwood, Calif.) and Paul Marcy (Guilford, Vt.) rounded out the top-three times finishing in 6:49.11. 

Monday morning's heats will begin at 8:00 a.m. The final is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22 at 8:00 a.m. EST. For full event information click here. For results go here.

See a photo gallery here.

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