USRowing Releases Roster for 2012 Senior and Junior Worlds

USRowing released the official roster for 2012 Senior and Junior Worlds this morning, and on the list are a number of very familiar faces. The senior team includes last year's fourth place finisher in the lightweight men's single, Andrew Campbell, who will be gunning for the podium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, as will Beijing Olympian Will Daly (racing in the men's pair along with Notre Dame grad, two-time C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints champ, and RR interviewee Greg Flood), following the duo's near miss in the LM2x at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. Flood, who made the final eight competing for selection in the LM4- this year, will be appearing at his first senior worlds–likely with many more to come.

The men's pair with coxswain includes Justin Stangel, who took ninth overall in the men's pair last year at worlds along with former partner Tom Peszek (now slotted to race in London with Silas Stafford as the USA M2-), and former junior national champion with Pacific Rowing Club, UW Husky, and 2008 U23 world champ in the USA BM8+, Blaise Didier. Coxswain Stephen Young makes his second appearance at senior worlds, having competed in the M2+ and LM8+ in 2010.

Lightweight women's indoor world record holder Ursula Grobler will be looking to better her fourth place finish in Bled in the LW1x, and Hillary Saeger and Lindsay Hochman will looking to crack the podium once again (following last year's bronze medal performance in the lightweight women's quad at worlds), this time with 2011 Pan Am double bronze medalists Michelle Sechser and Chelsea Smith in the LW4x.

As for the junior team, many of the lineups have yet to be announced, as selection is ongoing. However, we do know that 2012 double USRowing youth national champion Rosie Grinalds of GMS will be competing in the JW4x, along with Elizabeth Sharis (at just 15 years of age), third place Cicely Madden and Alexandra Zadravec–first through fourth place in the JW1x in Oak Ridge this year. Coaching this crew will be the very competent and talented Günter Beutter. Last year's RoRy winner for Female Athlete of the Year at the junior level, Mia Croonquist, has also been named to the roster, but has not been named to a crew at this point, as has 2012 C.R.A.S.H.-B. silver medalist Ruth Narode.

On the junior men's side, Narrangansett's runaway national champions Chase Buchholz and Breck Wagner will represent the U.S. in the JM2x, and two-time national champion Peter Woolley of Marin Rowing Association will join teammates Riley Overfield (coxswain) and Julian Goldman in the sweep events at worlds this year, with MRA men's head coach Graham Willoughby looking after the JM8+. Los Gatos RC's John Chuter (2012 youth national champ in the pair, bronze in the four with coxswain) will be racing in the men's pair along with Aaron McAvey of Don Bosco Prep, while John's brother, Ben (bronze in the JM4+ with John at youth nationals this year) has also been named to the sweep team.

For a look at the complete roster, please visit RowingNews.com.

-RR

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