July 21, 2008

Notre Dame, Ind. - Four-time Notre Dame All-American and recent graduate Amanda Polk (Pittsburgh, Pa.) helped lead Under -23 Women's Eight on Sun., July 20 to the gold medal at the 2008 FISA World Rowing Championships in Bradenburg, Germany. Polk is the first Irish female rower to participate on a national team and win a gold medal.

The United States crew that also included coxswain Katelin Snyder (University of Washington), Suzanne Van Fleet (Clemson University), Katherine Glessner (Northeastern University), Jamie Redman (Yale University), Laura Larsen-Strecker (Harvard University), Theresa Shields (University of Wisconsin), Kelsie Chaudoin (University of Virginia) and Jessica Reel (Stanford University defeated Poland to win the gold medal. The boat grabbed the lead in the second half of the race and continued to widen the gap through the sprint and post a winning time of 6:36.01. Poland earned the silver medal with a time of 6:39.72, followed by Belarus (6:43.35), Canada (6:46.22), Germany (6:46.46) and Russia (6:52.26).

Polk was part of an American contingent of 14 crews and 47 members that represented the United States. The men's eight also captured the gold medal.