PRINCETON, N.J. - Julie Nichols and Charlie Cole have been named USRowing's 2011 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, the organization announced on Thursday.
Nichols, an eight-time senior national team member from Livermore, California, finished fourth in the lightweight women's double sculls at the 2011 World Rowing Championships last month in Bled, Slovenia, qualifying the boat for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
"Wow, I am really surprised and honored," said Nichols. "It means so much to be acknowledged by the U.S. team. I would like to share this recognition with my doubles partner, Kristin Hedstrom. It took a ton of work and focus from both of us to have a great season. Also, a very big 'thank you' to Dave O'Neill and our support system at home and abroad. A lot of different people contributed in one way or another."
The University of California graduate won the lightweight double sculls at the second national selection regatta this spring and went on to compete at all three stops of the 2011 Samsung World Rowing Cup series - winning bronze in Munch, gold in Hamburg and bronze in Lucerne for the overall points trophy, a first for any U.S. crew.
New Canaan, Connecticut-native Charlie Cole also competed for the U.S. team at the 2011 World Rowing Championships, finishing fourth in the men's four to qualify the boat for London. Earlier this summer, the Yale University graduate won bronze in the four at the 2011 Samsung World Rowing Cup in Lucerne and reached the finals of the Stewards Challenge Cup at the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta.
"It's a great honor to be recognized this way by my teammates and coaches," said Cole. "Brett (Newlin), Scott (Gault), Giuseppe (Lanzone) and I were lucky to get to race together all summer, and the guys helped me get a lot better. The most important thing is that everyone is looking forward. The end results were not great, and it's up to us to show that as individuals, and as a group, we can do better."
The athletes and coaches of the 2011 World Rowing Championships squad selected this year's USRowing Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Nichols and Cole will be honored on November 30 at the first annual Golden Oars Awards Dinner in New York City.
For more information about the event, visit www.usrowing.org. To purchase a ticket or secure a table, visit http://usrowing.tix.com.