O'Brien, Nilan Named Virginia Rowing Captains for 2012-13

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Sept. 18, 2012

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.–Virginia rowing seniors Kristine O’Brien and Betsy Nilan have been named co-captains for the 2012-13 season, head coach Kevin Sauer announced Tuesday (Sept. 18).

“Betsy and Kristine will be the great leaders for our program,” Sauer said. “Kristine leads by the example of hard work and Betsy has such a great attitude each and every day that effects everyone in a positive manner!”

A native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., O’Brien was a member of the Varsity Eight that captured the national championship and clinched the team title for the Cavaliers in 2012. She has been selected as a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association first-team All-American the past two years and was a member of the U.S. Women’s Eight that captured gold at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania this summer.

A native of Milford, Conn., Nilan was a member of the NCAA Championship roster in 2010 when the Cavaliers won their first team national championship. Nilan is an inspiration off the water, participating in programs like the Coach for College organization, where she took time to work with local children in Vietnamese villages during the summer of 2011.

The Virginia rowing program won its second national championship in three years in May 2012.