Recent University of Pennsylvania graduate Sam Sullivan has secured a gold medal for the United States in the Men’s Four at the World Rowing U23 Championships, which took place last week in Poznan, Poland.
The U.S. crew, composed of Sullivan, Ryan Martin (Washington), Wilson Morton (California), and Lyle Donovan (Washington), led from early in Saturday’s A Final. Great Britain remained close during the first half of the race, but the Americans maintained their lead. In the third 500 meters, they extended their advantage further and held off a late challenge from Spain to finish with a time of 5:49.96.
“It was a really good race. We talked about just being our own crew and going out there and staying internal, and that’s what we did,” Sullivan told USRowing after the race. “I think we just did a good job of being ourselves and sticking to what we know. No better group to do it with.”
This victory marks the first time that a U.S. men’s four has won gold at the U23 World Championships.
“I had so much trust in these guys to execute their race,” said men’s four coach Sergio Espinoza to USRowing. “They did everything we asked of them, and it paid off. I’m just so proud of them and all of our coaches. Huge thank you to Josy Verdonkschot, Casey Galvanek, Jesse Foglia, and Brett Gorman for all their work and support; it has made a major impact.”
Sullivan’s win adds to his previous achievements; he earned silver at last year’s U23 Championships as stroke for the U.S. Men’s Eight and was named USRowing U23 National Team Male Athlete of the Year last September.
