PHILADELPHIA – Recent University of Pennsylvania graduate
Sam Sullivan added to his international rowing credentials over the weekend, winning a gold medal with the United States Men's Four at the World Rowing U23 Championships. The event ran last week in Poznan, Poland.
The United States dominated Saturday's Men's Four A Final, showing confidence in their crew from start to finish. The U.S. took the lead early with Great Britain inches away through the first half of the race, but the Americans could not be shaken. Their third 500 meters was rowed with power and confidence, each stroke pushing their bow further and further into the lead. The U.S. countered a great sprint from Spain as they crossed the finish line in a time of 5:49.96. In addition to Sullivan, the boat featured Ryan Martin (Washington), Wilson Morton (California), and Lyle Donovan (Washington).
"It was a really good race. We talked about just being our own crew and going out there and staying internal, and that's what we did," Sullivan told USRowing after the race. "I think we just did a good job of being ourselves and sticking to what we know. No better group to do it with."
"I had so much trust in these guys to execute their race," said the men's four coach, Sergio Espinoza, to USRowing. "They did everything we asked of them, and it paid off. I'm just so proud of them and all of our coaches. Huge thank you to Josy Verdonkschot, Casey Galvanek, Jesse Foglia, and Brett Gorman for all their work and support; it has made a major impact."
Saturday's gold adds to Sullivan's silver medal from last year's U23 Championships, where he stroked the U.S. Men's Eight. Last September, Sullivan was named the USRowing U23 National Team Male Athlete of the Year.
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