Former Cavaliers Shine at World Rowing Cup II

Story Links

June 22, 2015

Results | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

VARESE, Italy–Three former Virginia student-athletes earned silver medals Sunday (June 21) at the World Rowing Cup II regatta in Varese, Italy.

Christine Roper (Class of 2011) and Susanne Grainger (Class of 2013) earned silver medals in the Canadian women’s eight. It is the seventh medal of Roper’s career in World Rowing Cup series competition and the fifth for Grainger. Both were a part of the Canadian eight that placed second at the 2014 World Championships and third at the 2013 world regatta.

Former Virginia softball and volleyball standout Meghan O’Leary (Class of 2008) earned the second silver medal of her international career, placing second in the women’s double for Team USA. She also placed second in the event at the 2014 WRC II regatta. With the finish, O’Leary and teammate Ellen Tomek will represent the United States at the 2015 World Rowing Championships, to be held Aug. 30-Sept. 6 in Aiguebelette, France.

In the women’s four, Germany’s Constanze Duell (Class of 2014) earned the first senior international medal of her career, earning bronze. Duell placed fourth in the same event at the 2014 WRC III regatta, her senior international debut.

Two other former Virginia rowers also competed. Katrin Reinert (Class of 2011) finished seventh with the German women’s eight and Kerry (Maher) Shaffer (Class of 2007) placed 12th with the Canadian women’s double.