Three With Virginia Ties Win Medals at Under 23 World Rowing Championships

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BREST, Belarus – Class of 2010 graduate Jennifer Cromwell, rising senior Christine Roper and incoming freshman Kathrin Ketterer all won medals at the 2010 Under 23 World Rowing Championships Sunday in Brest, Belarus.

Cromwell, a three-time All-American while at UVa and a member of the NCAA silver medalist Varsity Eight in 2010, rowed to victory with the United States’ women’s eight. The crew dominated the field in its final and won the gold for the third time in the last five years.

The U.S. sat in second place at the 500-meter mark as four crews were within 0.37 seconds of each other. But, the American crew made its decisive move during the second quarter of the race, building a 1.50-second advantage at the midway point. The U.S. continued to walk away from the field over the final 1,000 meters, pulling away for a 4.51-second victory over New Zealand. The U.S. crossed the finish line in a 6:31.97. New Zealand finished second in a 6:36.48, followed by Canada in a 6:38.16.

That second-place Canadian crew included Roper, a member of Virginia’s Second Varsity Eight in 2010.

Ketterer, meanwhile, was rowing for Germany in the women’s four and won the bronze medal.

Also competing at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships were Class of 2010 members Desiree Burns and Helen Tompkins, who finished fourth with the United States in the women’s quad.

Rounding out UVa’s presence at the championships, Class of 2010 graduate Summers Nelson earned a fifth-place finish with the U.S. women’s lightweight quad.

“I’m very proud of the UVa rowers that made their countries and their university proud,” Virginia head coach Kevin Sauer said.