Oct. 2, 2015

MADISON, Wis. -- It was a big night for the Wisconsin rowing team, but a bigger night for brain cancer awareness. Wisconsin and Stanford teamed up on Thursday to raise money for brain cancer in honor of Robert Connor Dawes.

Robert, a Wisconsin native who went by his middle name, Connor, passed away at the age of 18 after a 16-month battle with brain cancer. It was his dream to row at either Wisconsin or Stanford. So the Connor Cup was formed, a race to 100 kilometers with a goal of raising money for cancer research.

This year, the Wisconsin men's rowing team reached the 100 km mark on the ergs at Porter Boathouse in 5:13.54, edging Stanford's men's crew. The Cardinal clocked a 5:25.38. In addition, Wisconsin women's rowing took part, reaching 100 km in 6:16.0, defeated the Stanford women's crew team.

The Badger victory gives them the Connor Cup, but more importantly, the teams raised a combined $12,600 and counting to go towards research for brain cancer.

Visit http://rcdfoundation.org/erg-challenge/ for more information or if you would like to donate.