PRINCETON, N.J. — Megan Kalmoe (St. Croix Falls, Wis.; University of Washington '06) and Tracy Eisser (Fair Lawn, N.J.; Cornell University '12) have officially declared as the United States women's pair for the 2017 World Rowing Championships, USRowing announced Wednesday afternoon.
The crew earned their opportunity to represent the U.S. after their win at the 2017 USRowing National Selection Regatta and subsequent top four finish at the 2017 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, in which they raced to a silver medal.
Kalmoe, 33, and Eisser, 27, are well accustomed to racing together, having placed fifth in the women's quadruple sculls at the 2016 Olympic Games, and first in the same event at the 2015 World Rowing Championships. Since then, the two have moved into the pair and raced at the 2017 USRowing Spring Speed Order, winning that event as well.
"Tracy and I are both very excited to be taking on the challenge of the women's pair for this season," Kalmoe stated. "She and I have raced together in the women's quad over the past two seasons, and feel the relationship we've built working together as part of those crews has translated really well to this lineup."
Cornell University graduate Eisser has long been successful in the quadruple sculls, switching to the pair this year. In addition to her successful finishes at the 2016 Olympic Games and 2015 World Championships, Eisser placed third in the quad at the 2015 World Rowing Cup II. In 2014, she placed second at World Rowing Cup II and third at the World Rowing Championships.
Kalmoe, a graduate from the University of Washington, is no stranger to racing the pair. In 2014 and 2015, she placed second in the pair at World Rowing Cup II, as well as the 2014 World Rowing Championships.
Kalmoe learned to love the pair while rowing at Washington, making this year's World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Fla. an even more meaningful experience.
"My goal was to row the pair for the National Team one day when I left Washington back in 2006— to have the opportunity to do that now, so many years later and on American water is incredibly cool."
Members of the 2017 U.S. National Team are selected in stages. The full team will be named by August 28. For more information visit, www.usrowing.org.