Rebecca Smith '02 Wins Bronze Medal at World Rowing Championship

WORCESTER, Mass. – Former Holy Cross rower Rebecca Smith, a member of the class of 2002, won a bronze medal at the 2008 FISA World Rowing Championship, which took place from July 22-27 in Linz, Austria. Smith rowed for Team USA in the lightweight women's quadruple sculls, with teammates Libby Peters, Wendy Tripician and Hannah Moore.

In the lightweight women's quadruple sculls, the U.S. crew was out in front through the middle 1,000 meters of the course, but could not keep up with the charge of defending champion Australia in the final stretch. Australia clocked a time of 6:36.41 for the gold medal, with Poland coming in second for the silver in a time 6:39.38. The U.S. crossed the line in third place with a time of 6:40.77 for the bronze, followed by Great Britain in fourth at 6:41.56. Germany and Denmark finished in fifth and sixth, respectively.

During her time at Holy Cross, Smith served as team captain for the 2001-2002 season, and was a member of the varsity eight that placed first the ECAC National Invitational. She also received the Honorable John P. Cooney Memorial Award, as the senior letter winner who performed beyond all expectations with courage, loyalty and dedication. Earlier this year, Smith placed first in the lightweight women's single event at the U.S. Rowing National Selection Regatta.