The United States Rowing Team has a long and storied tradition of excellence as the premier team in Olympic Rowing. With 80 total Olympic Rowing medals, the United States Olympic Rowing Team. has a crushing lead over what was East Germany, who holds the next highest medal count with only 47. It is true that in recent years the gap has been closed and the U.S. is no longer considered the modern day rowing powerhouse that it once was. But critics beware! Meet some of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team who will be defending their gold medals earned in Athens and who have their sights set on a top three finish in Beijing.
1. Men’s Eight (8+): Wyatt Allen
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In 2007, Wyatt Allen was awarded the U.S. Rowing Male Athlete of the Year honor. Prior to winning the gold medal in the Men’s Eights at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Allen and his crew set the world record in the eight during the earlier heats for the event. Wyatt and his crew are ready and eager to defend their 2004 gold medal win.
2. Men’s Eight (8+): Bryan Volpenhein
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Two-time Olympian and gold medal winner in the Men’s Eights, Bryan Volpenheim is ready for a repeat performance in Beijing. Bryan is a three-time World Champion in the eight. At 32, Volpenhein is at the prime of his rowing career.
3. Women’s Single Sculls (1x): Michelle Guerrett
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The Beijing Olympics will mark Michelle’s second time as an Olympic competitor. In the 2004 Athens Games, Michelle competed in the quadruple sculls (4x) event and placed fifth. This time around Guerrett will be on her own as she sets her sights on a place on the podium as a women’s single sculls medalist.
4. Women’s Pair (2-) & Women’s Eight (8+): Anna Cummings (Michelson)
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Anna Cummings, formerly known as Anna Michelson, will be the only United States Rowing Team member to compete in two rowing events in the Beijing Olympics. Cummings will represent the red, white, and blue in the Women’s Pair (2-) and the Women’s Eight (8+) where she took gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
