CIUDAD GUZMAN, Mexico - Team USA won two silver medals to highlight the first day of finals on Lake Zapotlan at the XVI Pan American Games 2011. Argentina leads the current medal count with three gold.
In the women's pair, Megan Smith (Templeton, Calif.) and Meg George (Houston, Texas) held second place the entire length of the course before making a big push to the line. The U.S. crew finished in a 7:29.05 to Argentina's Maria Best and Maria Abalo, who won in a 7:24.57.
"Going into the final, Megan and I knew we had a lot of hard work ahead of us," said George. "Argentina and Canada are smart racers and we expect(ed) to have to fight for every inch."
"It was a push right from the beginning," said Smith. "We went out wanting to get ahead, and stay there. We were able to maintain that for quite a while and went at it as hard as we could. It was the best race we could have rowed today."
Twenty minutes later, the women's double sculls crew of Catherine Reddick (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Megan Walsh (Charlotte, N.C.) won a second silver medal for the United States, crossing the line less than a second behind Cuba's 7:13.76.
The U.S. crew was third off the starting blocks, but was able to move through Canada in the second 1,000 meters. Reddick and Walsh, who advanced to the final with a win in Saturday's repechage, posted a 7:14.58.
"I think our race was really solid," said Walsh. "It's been our most solid 2k, all out, put together performance. I think it was a good way to end. We just put our heads down and went for it."
Andrew Quinn (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) and Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg (Philadelphia, Pa.) finished fourth in the final of the men's double sculls by 2.59 seconds. The U.S. entered the medals race as the top seed after winning their race for lanes.
In the men's four, Matt Wheeler (Eugene, Ore.), Joe Spencer (Washington, D.C.), Steve Kasprzyk (Cinnaminson, N.J.) and Jason Read (Ringoes, N.J.) finished fifth in the final (6:07.85). Argentina won gold in 6:04.41.
On deck for Tuesday are the finals for the lightweight men's double sculls (9:08 a.m. CST), women's single sculls (9:25 a.m. CST), lightweight women's double sculls (9:49 a.m. CST), men's pair (10:12 a.m. CST) and men's quadruple sculls (10:35 a.m. CST).
More than 6,000 athletes from 42 countries are competing in this year's Games, held every four years, a year out from the Summer Olympic Games. Rowing has been a part of the Pan American Games since 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the last Pan American Games, held in 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United States brought home seven medals on the men's side and three medals on the women's side, for a total of ten.
The 2011 Pan American Games are the third Pan American Games hosted by Mexico and the first held in the state of Jalisco. Previously, Mexico hosted the 1955 Pan American Games and the 1975 Pan American Games, both in Mexico City.
Upcoming Rowing Competition
October 18, 2011 9:00-11:05 a.m., A Finals, B Finals, Medal Ceremonies (LM2x, W1x, LW2x, M2-. M4x)
October 19, 2011 9:30-11:25 a.m., A Finals, B Finals, Medal Ceremonies (LM4-, LW1x, W4x, M1x, M8+)