Aug. 7, 2010
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Midshipmen 1C Ed King and USMC 2nd Lt. Michael Kerrigan both finished in the grand finals of their events at last week's 2010 Under 23 (U23) World Rowing Championships in Brest, Belarus. King, three seat of the USA lightweight four, won a bronze medal and Kerrigan, bow of the USA lightweight pair, finished sixth. These were the two best ever finishes at U23's for the USA in each event.
The USA light four of King, Robin Prendes, Will Newell and Austin Meyer began the regatta well, winning their opening heat and a narrow second in the semi final to earn a berth in the grand finals. Italy and the US stormed off the starting line in the grand leaving the field behind. At the halfway point GB began a strong push to eventually move into first place with 400m remaining in the 2000m race. The US crew responded and moved on Italy and GB over the last sixty seconds of the six-minute race. However the USA's scorching last minute was not enough to wrestle the World Championship from the Brits. GB won the final in 6:22.6, with Italy second in a time of 6:23.8 and the USA third with a time of 6:24.7.
"It was a completely different level of racing in a world championship final," King said of his experience. "Overall, it was one of the most unbelievable experiences I think I've ever been a part of, and I'm really excited to start up the season at Navy soon."
This was King's second U23 Championship. Last year, he was in the tenth place USA lightweight four with fellow Navy lightweight oarsmen Julian Bowling '10 and Chad Healy '09.
After finishing second in the heat Kerrigan and pair partner Christian Klein had their work cut out to make the grand final. To have a chance at winning the event the USA lightweight pair had to qualify for the semi-final in an afternoon repechage, a race for all crews that did not win the heat to have another chance at moving on to the semi-final. The USA handled their rep masterfully and used great momentum in the semi-final to qualify for the grand final. In the final the USA held onto the leaders pace for the first quarter of the race but began to slip back to eventually finish sixth - the best finish a USA crew has ever produced in the U23 lightweight pair.
Both King and Kerrigan rowed in the Navy first varsity lightweight crew this past year. Following the conclusion of the season at IRA's King and Kerrigan, along with two other Navy lightweight crew alums, traveled to Oklahoma City for the USA U23/Senior National team selection camp. King will return to the Academy for his senior year while Kerrigan will head back to selection camp to try for the USA lightweight eight that will compete at October's World Rowing Championships in New Zealand. King will spend the remainder of his summer on tour with SEAL team 10 in Littlecreek, Va., until he returns to Navy for reform of the brigade on August 19th.
