[GRP Row]: Pan Am Qualification Regatta
In what was an extremely successful qualification regatta for the whole US team, athletes from the Green Racing Project shined. GRP athletes earned five medals over the five days of racing in Concepción, Chile with all boats earning start spots for the 2023 Pan American Games set for this fall.
Alexander Hedge and Ezra Carlson led the way on the first day of championship racing, winning the men’s pair by open water. Grace Joyce helped the women’s quad earn silver medals, finishing in second behind Chile. The USA men’s quad, which included Jacob Plihal, finished the final in sixth, but still earned a berth to Pan Ams.
On the second day of championship racing, Ezra and Alexander again rowed together, this time in the men’s four. The four placed fourth, 1.6 seconds behind Chile in third.
The final day of competition held exciting competitions with Grace winning the women’s single sculls by just 0.55 seconds and Jacob winning the men’s single sculls. Both racers made strong pushes over the second half of their races to take and then hold their leads.
Congratulations to these four Cedar Sprigs who will be representing Craftsbury and the United States of America at the Pan Am Games in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile, October 21-25!
Check out US Rowing’s coverage of the qualification regatta for daily recaps, quotes, and results.
