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Open Women's Single: 1. Rawley, San Diego TC, 7:34.8 2. Devine, Lake Washington, 7:36.9 3. Korholz, Augusta TC, 7:41.6 |
Open Men's Single: 1. Koven, Brown Alumni, 6:51.6 2. Beasley, Unaffiliated, 7:00.4 3. Ferry, Augusta TC, 7:04.8 |
Lightweight Women's Single: 1. Kiklas, San Diego TC, 7:46.5 2. Collins, QRA, 7:46.7 3. Schlenker, Oregon, 7:49.6 |
Lightweight Men's Single: 1. Tucker, Unaffiliated, 6:55.7 2. Martinez, Newport/Potomac, 6:55.8 3. Ruckman, Augusta TC, 7:00.0 |
Koven and Rawley earned national team berths by winning the first two finals races in a best two-out-of-three format.
Koven (Green Village, N.J.), the defending world champion in the men's single, dominated his competition, stroking a 6:51.6. Koven defeated Cyrus Beasley (Newburyport, Mass.), a 1996 Olympian in the single sculls, by nine seconds to earn the right to defend his world title at the 1998 FISA World Rowing Championships in September in Cologne, Germany. Beasley rowed a 7:00.4, while Mike Ferry (Philadelphia, Pa.) finished third with a time of 7:04.8.
"It felt great to get some good racing under my belt," Koven said. "This was the first racing of the year for me and it was very important. Today, I paced myself differently than yesterday and had much better results."
In the women's open weight single competition, Rawley (Rumson, N.J.) led the entire race and stroked a 7:34.8 to earn a berth on the national team. Jennifer Devine (Portland, Ore.) finished second with a time of 7:36.9, while Laurel Korholz (La Jolla, Calif.) finished third with a time of 7:41.6.
"I visualized this race and opportunity for a long time," Rawley said. "I know I have to get faster and I have a lot of work to do, but I'm very excited about the opportunity."
The men's and women's lightweight single sculls competitions will go to a third final after two different rowers split the first two finals races.
In the men's lightweight single, Steve Tucker (Mooresville, Ind.), the 1997 U.S. National Team lightweight single sculler, edged out James Martinez (Santa Fe, N.M.) by 0.1 seconds to win the second final with a time of 6:55.7. Martinez took a commanding lead early in the race; but with 400 meters to go, Tucker made his move. During the last five strokes, Tucker passed Martinez to claim the victory. Tucker will face Greg Ruckman (Wyoming, Ohio), who won Saturday's first final, tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. to determine the 1998 National Team representative.
In the women's lightweight single, Sherri Kiklas (Lake Forest, Calif.) defeated Christine Collins (Dearborn, Mich.) by 0.2 seconds to win the second final with a time of 7:46.5. Kiklas will meet Lisa Schlenker (Lake Oswego, Ore.) tomorrow at 8 a.m. in the third final.
Trials winners will represent the United States at the 1998 FISA World Rowing Championships in September in Cologne, Germany.
All contents copyright 1997-98 Edward Hewitt, unless otherwise noted.