Freshman Trio Named to U.S. Junior National Team
7/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
ANN ARBOR, Mich. C Three incoming freshmen from the University of Michigan womens rowing team were named to Team USAs 2008 Junior National Team, USRowing announced on Monday (July 7). Cristina Felix(San Marino, Calif./San Marino HS) and Melisa Ongun(Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park HS) will compete in the U.S. eight, while Emily Eiffert(Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima Senior HS) will row in the womens double sculls. The 2008 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships are scheduled for July 22-27 in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria.
Felix is a two-time member of the U.S. Junior National Team. She rowed in the American four at the 2007 World Junior Championships, where the boat placed eighth overall. Felix has rowed for Long Beach Junior Crew for the past two years. At the 2008 USRowing Youth National Championships, Felix won a pair of gold medals (double sculls, quadruple sculls) with Long Beach.
Ongun is also a veteran of the U.S. Junior National Team. She was a member of the U.S. eight that garnered a bronze medal at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Ongun has spent the last three years competing with Lincoln Park Juniors-Chicago Rowing. Her LPJ crew was seventh at the 2008 USRowing Youth National Championships.
Eiffert won a silver medal in the single sculls at the 2008 USRowing Youth National Championships in June. Competing for the GMS Training Center, she took first in the double sculls at the 2008 World Championships Trials. In 2007, Eiffert attended the United States selection camp for the World Junior Championships and latertrained with USRowing's high performance team.
Additionally, Michigan will be represented on the coaching staff by U-M assistant coach Veronika Platzer, who will be directing the junior womens pair.
A total of 10 past, present and future U-M rowers have now been selected to various U.S. National Teams in 2008. Leading the way are Olympians Ellen Tomek (USA, double sculls), Brett Sickler (USA, alternate), Heather Mandoli (Canada, eight) and Janine Hanson (Canada, quadruple sculls). Three more Wolverines are going to the 2008 World Championships in the U.S. four C fifth-year senior Karen Colwell(Stonington, Conn./Pawcatuck HS), Stesha Carle and Sarah Trowbridge.
USRowing Announces 2008 Senior and Junior World Championships Roster(July 7)
USRowing Announces 2008 Olympic Games Roster (June 27)
Rowing Canada 2008 Olympic Team Nominations(June 26)
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
