Grand Valley Rowing

Laker Navy Swings into Spring

Administrator — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:28:31 +0000

by Kathyrn Phelan

The Grand Valley rowing team was more than ready for Florida sunshine after the 2000m erg test that concluded winter training in Allendale. They drove south and were met with the enthusiastic spirit of spring break, mostly from college students who flocked to Panama City with a notably different agenda. Excitement and energy permeate the city, but the rowers have kept their focus, tackling daily time trials in pairs and posting long rows on a lagoon that hosts jelly fish, pelicans, and dolphins.

Temperatures have hung in the high 60s so far this week, which means that the long spandex has remained buried in suitcases and the rowers have been able to take full advantage of their surroundings. The beach is only a five minute walk from the hotel, so the rowers have swum, played Frisbee, attempted the Army’s obstacle course, and enjoyed being the only sober people within a twenty-mile radius.

The team is staying at The Inn at St. Thomas Square, which provides them with comfortable rooms for which they have an ongoing appreciation, since naps are often an inevitable part of the day. Each room has its own kitchen and bathroom, and the inn also boasts a swimming pool, sauna, and tennis courts. The team spends their off time enjoying these amenities, as well as exploring, nursing blisters, and lounging around at the resort with teammates. Many athletes have taken the initiative to head out on extra runs or technical rows on their own.

On the water, lineups are constantly changing to keep pairings fresh and practices competitive. Men and women’s boats work together during both technical workouts and sprint pieces in order to learn from each other’s technique and challenge each other’s speed. The variety of the workouts, rotation of coaches, and teamwork between the men and women’s crews have created a fun, dynamic rowing environment in which coaches are already seeing improvement.

Coach Michiel Bartman, a three-time Olympic medalist and the head coach for Vesper Boat Club, has joined the coaching crew this week, delivering daily technical talks from the seat of an erg, demonstrating as he speaks. His experience, sense of humor, and calm, relaxed demeanor are an invaluable component to the training.

The rowers are working hard, but are still energetic and excited to be out on the water (and for now, off of the ergs). They are proud of the dedication that has brought them this far, and ready for the work that will take them the rest of the way.

GVSU Rowers Return from Winter Technical Vacation

Administrator — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:40:38 +0000

by Kathyrn Phelan

Michigan was snowy and 30 degrees when the Grand Valley rowing team drove 24 hours to Florida, where the weather was sunny and 30 degrees. Undaunted, the rowers unburied the long spandex from the bottom of their suitcases and steeled themselves for three practices a day in the cheerful albeit freezing Florida air.

Time on the water was largely spent tweaking and perfecting technique. The coaching staff shifted lineups, varied boat size, and took video of the athletes in order to focus on their technical improvement. Coach Bancheri also delivered “chalk talks” in the mornings, which illustrated the topics to be covered during practice and reinforced knowledge of the rowing stroke as it culminated throughout the week.

Justin Wegner, a novice this year, said, “I feel like I am a technically better rower by learning how to row longer and more relaxed. I got to know Varsity rowers better and it was good to row with experienced athletes.” Varsity rower Jeff Slater agreed that the trip was beneficial in saying, “A lot of progress was made with the younger guys, and I honed in on my own technical skills.”

The team members worked diligently and without complaint, posting erg workouts, dynamic stretching, on-water drills, long practices in sometimes choppy conditions, and in many cases extra erg workouts or runs on their own. Older varsity athletes reviewed videos with their novice teammates, and novice got a chance to bond with their varsity counterparts. The team even started their new year with an erg workout on the morning of January 1st to kick off what promises to be a successful new year. As Tamara Hillman said, “Because the novice and varsity were mixed together, it helped them to see what they have to look forward to at the varsity level.” Becca Struder, another novice who made the trip, added, “I learned a lot. The coaching staff helped me improve my stroke. Getting to know the rest of the varsity team also made a difference.”

The rowers slept in cabins right on the lake, but lacked an oven, stove, or fridge. The campsite conditions mandated creativity and the team rose to the challenge: each night one cabin was responsible for taking a trip to the grocery store and preparing a meal for the sixty rowers and coaches. Using only a grill, aluminum tins and a microwave, the team invented ways to make pizza, tacos, chili dogs, breakfast burritos, pork chops, salads, dirt cake, and puppy chow. Novice and varsity teammates compiled ideas and resources to create a successful dining plan.

Determined to enjoy Florida regardless of the coldest winter the area had endured in sixty years, the team took trips to two beaches, went on a shopping spree, and a few members of the men’s team explored Universal Studios. Instead of swimming at the beach, everyone took advantage of the empty miles of sand to rent and drive mopeds and beach cruisers (essentially little golf carts). The rowers and coaches chased each other around in them, played volleyball, ran along the sand bar, read in coffee shops, and grabbed some ice cream at Coldstone. The Sukolsky family, whose daughter Kristin was a coxswain at Marietta for Coach Bancheri, grilled for everyone at the beach and provided beach toys for an afternoon of fun.

As the team loaded the bus on the last day of the trip, the sun shone and the temperature rose enough to mandate shorts and t-shirts for the first time. Although jokes permeated about the team’s bad timing or bad luck with weather, spirits were high. The rowers spent a week living in cabins with cement floors, using communal bathrooms with cold showers, enduring rough water, frost-covered docks and two twenty-four hour bus rides. But they did not let these factors dictate the experience.

By the spring racing season, they will have forgotten the frigidity of the unseasonably cold weather, but they will remember the chaos and hilarity of trying to get everyone showered before dinner on New Years Eve. They won’t be thinking about where they slept, but they’ll remember how great a nap felt after a good workout. The athletes could have focused on the challenges and inevitable frustrations, but they chose to focus on card games between workouts, cheering each other on during erg pieces, and sitting up a little straighter in the boat. Instead of bereaving the loss of part of their winter break, the rowers reaffirmed their commitment, tightened their technique, grew closer to their teammates, and look forward to a successful racing season in the spring.

Laker Navy Finishes Fall Season

Administrator — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:59:39 +0000

The Laker Navy finished up the fall season strong with the Novice competing in the Frostbite Regatta at Notre Dame, the Varsity racing from the boathouse to Grand Haven. The Novice finished with three men and women’s eights. All novices worked hard and it was a successful day in South Bend. The annual Frostbite provides the crews a chance to experience sprint racing before the championship season begins.

The Varsity performed well over the twenty-one mile stretch of the Grand River. The De monding van de Grote (Mouth of the Grand) was a first for the GVSU crew. The course went from the boathouse in Allendale to the Mouth of the Grand River in Grand Haven, MI into a stiff headwind the better part of the day. The VM8+ rowed to a 2:20:12.1 finish, completing the course in the fastest time. The 2VM8+ rowed a 2:28:20.4, winning the men’s trophy through a handicap. Likewise, the VW8+ finished in 2:34:16.5 and the 2VW8+ in 2:42:12.0, with the 2VW8+ taking home the women’s trophy through a handicap. The Laker Navy is now headed indoors to begin preparations for the spring season.

Lakers Sweep Men & Women’s Varsity 8s at Head of the Eagle

Administrator — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:15:22 +0000

by Dayna Campbell

This weekend, every member of the Laker Navy took the six-hour journey to Indianapolis to compete at the Head of the Eagle regatta. It was a clear representation of how much the fall workouts have helped the athletes improve. A total of nine boats received first place honors, six got second, and four got third place. There was immense effort put into each and every race by all rowers. “This race was different from Head of the Grand [Lansing] because there were many more crews and each team had that much more time to prepare for this one. It was a close race, and we just have to learn from it, reports sophomore Mitch McClain about his Men’s 2nd Varsity boat race.

1st Place

Men’s Open 2x:
Geoffery Sadek, Mark McIlduff – 17:13:88

Women’s Open 4x+:
Dayna Campbell (cox), Kari Oshanski, Krista Rapisarda, Emily Zogas, Rachel KIshman – 19:38:10

Women’s Novice 8+ A:
Jordan Hart (cox), Beth Czarnecki, Laura Pebley, Carey Mankins, Amy Brunner, Caryn Myers, Jessica Vogl, Rebecca Studer, Nikki Roberts – 18:44:62

Women’s Open 4+ A:
Robi Scarbrough (cox), Sam Morgan, Kelsey Arnold, Katie Phelan, Laura Marshall – 18:26:93

Women’s Open 4+ B:
Aly Mendels (cox), Alex VanderArk, Kendra Socks, Lindsay Marshall, Hannah Brinza – 18:19:42

Women’s Lightweight 4+:
Aly Mendels (cox), Leslie Mayville, Tamara Hillamn, Kari Oshanski, Hanna Jones – 15:41:95

Men’s Open 4x+:
Dayna Campbell (cox), Geoff Sadek, Dan Schoolcraft, Tucker Anderson, Marty Reed – 16:43: 89

Women’s Varsity 8+ A:
Aly Mendals (cox), Sam Morgan, Kelsey Arnold, Katie Phelan, Laura Marshall, Alex VanderArk, Kendra Socks, Leslie Mayville, Hannah Brinza – 16:12:78

Men’s Varsity 8+:
Hallie Dorsey (cox), Mike Stoll, Brendan Sawyer, Jeff Slater, Breck Davis, Marco Benedetti, Seth Koch, Kyle Dara, Jimmy Wilkie – 14:25:24

Full Results and Times via RaceTrak

Lakers Victorious at Head of the Charles Regatta

coachmark — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:47:51 +0000

The Laker Navy sent their flagships to Boston, MA this weekend to compete in the 45th Annual Head of the Charles Regatta on October 18th. The annual event is the world’s largest regatta and attracts the top oarsmen nationally and internationally. The Lakers return home having completed their most successful campaign out east in the history of the program. The weather conditions this year were brutal as the rowers had to battle high winds and a wintery mix of rain and cold. Both eights that travelled battled through the difficulties and performed outstanding.

The women raced in the collegiate eight and covered the course in a first place time of 17:47.3. The event saw reigning DIII NCAA champion Williams College follow in at 18:01.2. The winning time gave GVSU the title over 35 boats competing in their event from top programs around the country and Canada. The boat consisted of stroke seat Sam Morgan (SR), Laura Marshall (JR), Katie Phelan (SR), Kelsey Arnold (JR), Alex VanderArk (SR), Kendra Socks (SR), Leslie Mayville (JR), bow seat, Hannah Brinza (JR), and cox, Aly Mendals (SO). Senior captain Sam Morgan said, “We wanted to go for it early and see if we could pass some boats out front. Once we were able to catch some of them, the momentum carried us over the course to the finish. It was a lot of fun out there today.”

The men also competed in the collegiate eight against 38 other entries. They powered to a third place finish in a time of 15:54.3 behind Williams College at 15:33.9 and Trinity College at 15:35.3. The finish marked an improvement over back-to-back fourth place finished in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The lineup sat stroke Mike Stoll (SR), Brendan Sawyer (JR), Jeff Slater (SR), Breck Davis (SR), Marco Benedetti (SO), Seth Koch (SO), Kyle Dara (JR), bow, Scott Feil (SR), and coxswain Hallie Dorsey (SO). Senior captain Mike Stoll commented, “The conditions were nasty. I was eager to see how we would handle it. I thought the guys were composed and rowed a great race. I am excited to see the continued development of the younger guys as our season moves forward.”

The results at this years regatta marked Head Coach John Bancheri’s most successful campaign at the Head of the Charles. He stated, “I was extremely proud of both crews today. To see GVSU competing and more than holding their own against these prestigious universities says a lot about the program as a whole. I thought everyone executed a good race plan and performed to their capabilities. I was especially proud of sophomore coxswains Dorsey and Mendels. This is not an easy course to steer in the first place, and the conditions created added pressure. I thought they did a fantastic job out there today.”

The race was GVSU’s first of the fall season. The rest of the Laker Navy raced in East Lansing against Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Northern Michigan University, and Michigan Tech University. They will continue training and compete in the upcoming weeks at Grand Rapids and Indianapolis, IN.

And They’re Off: Lakers Prepare for Charles and Grand

Administrator — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:09:17 +0000

Dayna Campbell, GVSU Rowing Co-Historian

The summer weather has ended, which means crew season is just getting started! This weekend is a big weekend for the whole team. On Thursday, October 15, 2009, the varsity men and women’s eights are heading to Boston, Massachusetts for the Head of the Charles Regatta. The drive out east begins at 9pm Thursday night and lands in Boston 1pm Friday. Saturday will be spent learning the river, including a “coxswain tour” and practice on the Charles. Sunday is race day. Sitting stroke is Mike Stoll (SR), followed by, Brendan Sawyer (JR), Jeff Slater (SR), Breck Davis (SR), Marco Benedetti (SO), Seth Koch (SO), Kyle Dara (JR), and in bow, Scott Feil (SR); the coxswain is Hallie Dorsey (SO). “There are some fast schools that will be there this weekend. It will be interesting to see how we handle ourselves for this big race,” says Mike Stoll. On the women’s side, the line up goes as follows: stroke seat is Sam Morgan (SR), then Laura Marshall (JR), Katie Phelan (SR), Kelsey Arnold (SR), Alex VanerArk (SR), Kendra Socks (SR), Leslie Mayville (JR) bow seat, Hannah Brinza (JR), and coxing, Aly Mendals (SO). Practices have been intense and filled with hard work in pairs as well as eights. Captain Sam Morgan’s thoughts on Boston are hopeful. “I am really excited to go back to Boston and show what we really can do. Last year was disappointing, and we’d like to have a better showing.”

The remainder of the Laker Navy’s men and women are heading east to Lansing, Michigan, for Michigan State’s Head of the Grand Regatta. The gang will be meeting at the Kirkhof Center at a chipper 5:45am Sunday, October 18, 2009, to head over to Spartan territory. This is an exciting regatta because it is the first chance for the novice crew to wet their feet for the rest of the fall season. “I am really pumped to row this weekend. We have all been working really hard and trying to follow the varsity’s footsteps,” says freshman Megan DeKievit. The trailer will be carrying a fleet of 8 eights, 5 fours, 2 quads, 1 double, and 1 single. Michigan State, Northern Michigan, Michigan Tech, Lansing Rowing Club, and the University of Michigan will provide fierce competition, but the Laker Navy will be putting up a very fine fight.

Lakers Gear Up for Season, Announce Captains

coachmark — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:32:02 +0000

The Laker Navy returns for the 2009-2010 campaign with their eyes set on a third team point’s national championship. Coach John Bancheri returns for his fifth year at the helm of the Laker Navy, with the intention of making this his most successful season to date.

Bancheri states, “When I arrived at GVSU and discussed the possibilities of our development, we set lofty goals that we believed were attainable. We have reached or surpassed our initial four year goal on almost every level. This was possible with the support of the institution, a competent staff that worked together and most importantly, a group of committed student athletes who believed they could be as successful as any varsity-club program in the US.

In the previous four years, we have developed the “Happy Boathouse Model”. Both our men’s and women’s crews, although seperate, are equal in training, facilities and equipment. They have worked side by side to help each other get faster, which is something that no one has had to legislate. They have developed successful crews and individual athletes who have attained a higher level each and every year because they are happy, they are challenged, they support each others goals, and most importantly they support the vision of what is needed for the greater good of the programs terminal goal. These are great victories in and of themselves and winning Dad Vail, points trophies, sending athletes to national camps are all feathers in our cap. However, the fact that all of our athletes and staff (male and female) support the vision of the program says simply that we are poised to continue to further develop our athletes and our program”.

Joining Coach Bancheri on the coaching staff will be Mark McIlduff in his fourth year with the team, as well as first year coaches Lisa Saladino and Geoff Sadek. GVSU Rowing also welcomes facilities coordinator Kyle LeMoine and advisor Kirsten Bartels to the staff.

On the women’s side, captains Kelsey Arnold ‘11 and Samantha Morgan ‘10 return to lead a very talented and motivated group. Arnold and Morgan were members of the highly successful 2009 varsity eight that took home wins at the Dad Vail and ACRA regattas. Both Arnold and Morgan spent the summer training at elite camps. Arnold was selected to compete at US U23 Selection Camp in Oak Ridge, TN while Morgan trained out of Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia, PA. Joining the captains is an extremely competitive group of ladies that helped Grand Valley to its most successful women’s season ever in 2009. This group will look to improve on those results and it should prove to be another exciting year for the Laker ladies.

The men will look to senior captains Breck Davis ‘10 and Mike Stoll ‘10 to lead a young group high on potential. Davis was a member of the varsity eight the past two seasons. Some of the highlights include trips to the Dad Vail final two years in a row and a third place finish at the ACRA in 2008 and 2009. Breck was also a member of the 2008 crew that made the quarterfinals at Henley Royal Regatta in the Temple Challenge Cup. Stoll is going on his second year as president of the club and was a 2008 Dad Vail champion in the JV eight. In 2009, Stoll stroked the JV eight to a third place finish at Vails and a second place finish at ACRA. The men will also return several members of both the varsity and JV eights from last season. Filling in the gaps, will be a talented group of sophomores looking to make good on a promising novice season.

Grand Valley rowers to compete at 127th Canadian Henley

coachmark — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:47:21 +0000

August 9th, 2009

Sam Morgan completed her summer racing with Vesper BC today racing in the grand final of the Women’s Championship eight. Morgan stroked the crew to a second place finish in a time of 6:22.1, just behind the winner Guelph RC at 6:19.3. This marked the end of her summer rowing in which she won the Senior Women’s four and eight at the Club National Championships and the Senior Women’s eight at the Royal Canadian Henley Ragatta.

August 7th, 2009

A day after winning the Senior eight, Sam Morgan and the Vesper U23 eight took fourth in their grand final today. Finishing in a time of 6:33.7, their effort was not enough to overtake the champions of Ottawa Rowing Club that clocked a time of 6:20.8. Morgan will complete her week in the Championship eight later in the weekend.

Geoff Sadek and Blake Donovan rowed to a 3rd place finish in their semi-final and failed to qualify for the grand final.

August 6th, 2009

Sam Morgan and the Vesper eight took home the Candain Henley championship in the Senior Women’s eight today in a time of 6:33.4 ahead of NYAC in 6:35.3. This victory came in Sam’s first of three grand final races this weekend. She will also race in the U23 eight and Championship eight.

Geoff Sadek and Blake Donovan took third in the U23 Men’s pair to qualify for the semi-final on Friday.

Ross Anderson 06′ rowed at the US senior trials and took third in the Men’s single.

August 5th, 2009

Sam Morgan stroked the Vesper Women’s U23 eight to another second place finish today in the heats. The time of 6:58.7 into a stiff headwind was good enough to secure a spot in the final and put them just behind St. Catherines RC at 6:55.6. Once again, Morgan’s heat held the two fastest times of the day. Sam will compete in three grand finals over the next few days, the Women’s Senior eight, U23 eight, and Championship eight.

Grand Valley facilities coordinator and assistant coach Kyle Lemoine participated in the Senior Lightweight Men’s single. Kyle rowed to a sixth place finish in the heats and did not qualify for the semi-final.

The Senior Men’s pair of Geoff Sadek and Blake Donovan took fourth in their semi-final today, failing to qualify for the grand final by one placement in a time of 6:46.7. The pair will take another shot in the U23 Men’s pair later this week.

August 4th, 2009

Sam Morgan stroked the Vesper Women’s Senior eight to a second place finish and a spot in the grand final with a time of 6:34.9 today at the Canadian Henley. New York Athletic Club took first in the heat in a time of 6:33.3. Both boats were well ahead of the second heats times. Sam will row in the U23 eight heat tomorrow.

Geoff Sadek and Blake Donovan rowed to a third place finish in the Senior Men’s pair heat 4. The duo came in at 6:58.1, just behind two Mendota Rowing Club (Wisconsin) boats at 6:56.7 and 6:57.9 respectively. Again, the heat comprised the three fastest times of the event on the day. The pair will advance to the semi-final.

In other news, Grand Valley grad Ross Anderson 06′ will compete in the Senior World trials this Thursday at Mercer, NJ. He will row for a spot on the World Championship team in the Men’s Single.

August 3rd, 2009

The 127th Annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta will kick off tomorrow on Tuesday, August 4th. Grand Valley State will have four rowers competing at the regatta. Rising senior and women’s team captain Samantha Morgan has been training all summer with Vesper Boat Club in Philadelphia, PA. Sam will be stroking the Vesper entry in the Women’s Senior 8+, the Under 23 Women’s 8+, and the Women’s Championship 8+. The Senior and U23 eights have heats and finals, while the champ eight is scheduled for a final only.

Recently graduated men’s captains Geoff Sadek and Blake Donovan are entered to compete in the Senior Men’s pair and Under 23 Men’s pair. The duo took fourth last summer in the U23 category and will look to improve on that result. Sadek will be joining the Grand Valley coaching staff in the fall. Also competing, Kyle Lemoine will row the Senior Men’s lightweight single. Lemione will join the staff in the fall as facilities coordinator.

Complete Schedule

Morgan twice golden at USRowing Club National Championship

coachmark — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:22:13 +0000

Rising senior and Grand Valley women’s team captain Samantha Morgan won the Senior 8+ today at the USRowing Club National Championship in Oak Ridge, TN. Morgan stroked Vesper Boat Club to an open water first place finish in a time of 6:36.6 ahead of Penn Athletic Club at 6:41.2 and Wisconsin Development Camp at 6:42.3. New York Athletic Club, Thompson Boat Center, and Minnesota Development camp rounded out the grand final.

On Sunday, Morgan and her Vesper teammates won their second championship in as many days by winning the Senior 4+ in a time of 7:28.4 ahead of Penn A.C. at 7:31.0 and Vesper BC ‘B’ at 7:35.1. Thompson Boat Center, New York Athletic Club, and Wisconsin Development Camp rounded out the grand final. Sam Morgan will continue training at Vesper BC in preparation for the Canadian Henley Regatta that takes place the first week of August.

You can read more about Samantha’s summer experience at Vesper by accessing her journal on the front page of our website.

Complete Results

Sarah Zelenka competing at U23 World Championships

coachmark — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:01:57 +0000

July 26, 2009

The grand final of the women’s four without coxswain was run today at 10:48am. Grand Valley’s Sarah Zelenka sat bow seat of the United States four that rowed out of lane 6. A tight race in the opening meters, the USA settled into fourth place at the 500m-meter point just one second off the lead. At 1000m, the United States had fallen to last place, only two seconds off of the pace. The entire field raced high and hard to the halfway point. The gap proved too much to overcome as the crosswind and high stroke rating proved to be too challenging in the final section of the course. As the race came to a close, it was Belarus in Lane 1 taking gold in a time of 6:48.8, Italy in Lane 2 silver, and New Zealand in Lane 4 bronze. France, Great Britain, and the United States in a time of 6:57.2 rounded out the field.

Complete Results

Zelenka in GR Press

July 24, 2009

Sarah Zelenka competed in the repachage today at 9:30am. Again, the racing saw a fast start and the USA down on the field. By the halfway mark, however, the Americans made a push to the front and did not look back. With the top two grabbing a spot in the grand final on Sunday, the United States finished with a time of 6:43.8 just behind Belarus at 6:42.5. The grand final will take place Sunday, July 26th at 10:48 am. The field includes Belarus in lane 1, Italy in lane 2, Great Britain in lane 3, New Zealand in lane 4, France in lane 5, and the USA in lane 6.

Complete Results

July 23, 2009

The racing kicked off this morning in Racice, Czech Republic with the heats. Grand Valley’s Sarah Zelenka rowed bow seat in the United States four without coxswain that competed in the first heat of the event at 9:30am. With the top two finishers qualifying directly to the grand final, the race was hotly contested from the start. The U.S. found themselves down to the field early and were unable to overcome the deficit. New Zealand won the heat in a time of 7:03.50 with the defending champs Italy coming in second in 7:04.33. The United States rounded out the heat in a time of 7:11.29.

In the second heat, it was Great Britain setting the pace in 7:08.79 with France joining them in the finals at 7:09.94. The United States will have a second opportunity to qualify for the grand finals July 24th at 9:30am in the repachage. The United States will sqaure off against Belarus, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The top two finishers in the repachage will qualify for the grand final on July 26, with the remaining boats going to the petite final on July 25.

Complete Results

July 9, 2009

Sarah Zelenka won the USRowing U23 World Championship trial this morning competing in a 4-. The boat consisted of Theresa Shields (Wisconsin) at stroke, Sarah Gribler (Michigan), Sarah Zelenka (GVSU), and Laura Nicholson (Harvard) at bow. Shields returns from the 2008 U23 team, in which she stroked the eight to a gold medal at the World Championships. Rowing into a stiff headwind, the boat raced to a first place finish of 7:34.3, ahead of two Penn A.C. entries at 7:42.6 and 8:03.9 respectively. Sarah had been taking part in the USRowing U23 selection camp with Grand Valley teammate Kelsey Arnold in the weeks leading up to the trials. The 4- was selected based on ergo performance, pair racing, and seat racing throughout the selection process. In winning the race, the boat secured a spot on the USA U23 team that will travel to Racice, Czech Republic to compete in the U23 World Championships on July 23-July 26.

Sarah and Kelsey have been writing about their experience at the camp. The journals may be accessed from the front page of our website.

Further information:

USRowing U-23 National Team Roster via row2k

GVNow - GVSU rower to compete in world championships