SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Three University of Notre Dame rowing team student-athletes were members of top-10 finishing crews in late July at the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria, Erin Boxberger (United States, W8+), Ailish Sheehan (Ireland, W4-) and Molly Bruggeman (USA, W4x) each took part in the five-day event.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Boxberger, 20, grew up in Overland Park and graduated from Blue Valley North High School in 2011. She is the granddaughter of Vickie and Arlyn Boxberger, who have lived in Great Bend for 55 years.
"We're awestruck," Vickie Boxberger said. "For her to be competing in world competition, it's amazing.
"She's really doing some great things. We're so proud of her."
Erin's parents are Randy and Cherie' Boxberger. Randy grew up in Great Bend and graduated from the University of Kansas. He is taking a job in Houston as a controller. Erin's older sister, Megan, 23, a KU graduate, is a graphic designer in Dallas.
• Rowers set program record
The three Irish qualifiers for the World Under 23 Championships set a program record. Bruggeman previously was chosen for the U.S. squad in 2012, joining Amanda Polk (USA, 2008) as Notre Dame rowers selected to compete at the championships.
Boxberger and the USA W8+ crew opened the week with a time of 6:15.79 in the second of two heats Thursday to qualify for the A final. The United States led the entire way during the grand final race Sunday, cruising to a wire-to-wire victory and claiming the gold medal in the race for the second straight year.
Sheehan, the first international Notre Dame rower to qualify for the World Under 23 Championships, aided Ireland's W4- boat to the top time in Thursday's repechage heat to also earn a trip to the A final. The Ireland entry captured a top-5 result after placing fourth in Saturday's grand final.
In the W4x opening heat Thursday, Bruggeman and the U.S. team pushed past Germany into the lead, crossing the finish line first and advancing through to the weekend's A final.
The American crew ultimately placed sixth in a competitive championship race that was won by Romania. Germany posted the top overall medal count for the week, claiming five medals (two gold) on the men's side and adding six podium finishes with two gold in women's racing for a final combined total of 11.
Italy led all countries with four gold medals in the men's competition, adding a bronze in both genders for runner-up honors in the medal count (six). Along with gold in the W8+ A final, the U.S. added a first-place result and two other podium times on the men's side to finish fourth overall.
— University of Notre Dame & staff reports
