USRowing Training Center's Warren Anderson (Paso Robles, Calif.) and Cambridge Boat Club's Genevra Stone (Newton, Mass.) won the men's and women's single sculls, respectively, to highlight the final day of racing Sunday at the 2010 USRowing National Selection Regatta #1 at the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J.
For the men's and women's single sculls, the regatta serves as the first step towards making the 2010 Senior National Team that will represent the United States at the 2010 World Rowing Championships in Lake Karapiro, New Zealand. Anderson and Stone earned the right to compete at a world cup of their choosing. If they finish in the top four (or top half if there are fewer than eight entries), then they will be nominated to the team.
In the men's single sculls, Anderson controlled the race from start to finish, edging out Ken Jurkowski (New Fairfield, Conn.) at the line by 0.6 seconds. Anderson, who finished 12th in the event at the 2009 World Rowing Championships, clocked a 7:31.765 for the win.
"I like to race from the front when I can," said Anderson. "Today, I was jazzed up. I took a big lead and calmed myself down about 500 meters in and let it ride. I was ready to respond to any challenges and luckily I was able to fight it out towards the end to stay in front of Ken for the win."
Jurkowski, who represented the U.S. in the men's single sculls at the 2008 Olympic Games, crossed second in a 7:32.358. USRowing TC's Glenn Ochal (Philadelphia, Pa.) clocked a 7:36.673 for third place.
In the women's single sculls, Stone took the top spot, crossing the finish line nearly five seconds ahead of USRowing TC's Kate Bertko (Oakland, Calif.).
"The conditions were tough," said Stone. "I executed my race plan and I'm really happy. I was fast off the start and just kept going. I knew that it was going to be tough competition today."
Stone clocked a time of 8:30.843, followed by Bertko in an 8:35.693. USRowing TC's Stesha Carle (Long Beach, Calif.) edged out Union Boat Club's Mae Joyce Gay by 0.16 seconds for the third-place position, posting a time of 8:43.108.