July 13, 2010
BERKELEY -
Mary Jeghers and Kara Kohler of the California women's crew were recently named to the U.S. U23 National team, competing on the eight, as announced by the organization. Jeghers and Kohler will represent the United States at the 2010 World Rowing Under 23 Championships from July 22-25 in Brest, Belarus.
For Jeghers, it will be her second straight appearance on the U.S. national team, after racing in both the W2- and W8+ in last year's world championships, taking silver in the eight. Kohler will compete on the national squad for the first time after rowing on Cal's varsity 8+ as a freshman. Kohler, who won Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year for the 2010 season, took her first strokes last September.
"I am really happy for and proud of Mary and Kara," head coach Dave O'Neill said. "They are terrific athletes and have worked very hard for everything they've accomplished. Their eight looks to be very fast, and they should have some good success in Belarus."
Since 2001, Cal has had nine rowers compete on the U23 squad. Besides Jeghers, Megan Smith also competed twice (2006, 07). The other participants were Megan Cooke (2001), Ariana Canova, Shelle Orem (2002), Erin Cafaro (2005), and Mara Allen and Taryn O'Connell in 2007. In addition, O'Neill has coached the crew three times (2002, 06, 07).