Future Cavalier Nixon to compete for Ireland at World Under-23s

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June 28, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-Virginia rowing incoming freshman Holly Nixon has been named to the Republic of Ireland’s Under-23 national team, Rowing Ireland announced Wednesday (June 27). Nixon will compete for the Irish at the 2012 World Under-23 Rowing Championships, which will be held in Trakai, Lithuania, July 11-15.

“Holly is a great competitor that we are looking forward to having at UVa,” Virginia head coach Kevin Sauer said. “I know she will represent Ireland well at the U23 Worlds.”

Nixon was named the Afloat Rower of the Year in 2011 after taking silver in the single sculls at the 2011 World Junior Rowing Championships at Dorney Lake, England, the site of this year’s Olympic Games’ regatta. With the second-place finish, Nixon became Ireland’s first-ever medalist at the World Junior Championships.

Nixon, who will compete in the women’s double sculls event, is the fifth competitor with Virginia ties that will compete at the World Under-23s. Rising junior Carli Goldberg and graduated senior Cara Linnenkohl will represent the United States in the women’s double sculls, while rising senior Susanne Grainger and former Cavalier Christine Roper (Class of 2011) will row for Canada in the women’s 4- (without a coxswain).