The Summer Olympics
Wisconsin rower earns Olympic bronze
LONDON - A rower from Wisconsin earned a bronze medal for the United States Wednesday morning at the Olympics in London, while two others finished in 5th in the premier mens team rowing event.
Megan Kalmoe, from St. Croix Falls, joined three teammates in winning bronze in the women's quadruple sculls. Ukraine took gold, while Germany earned the silver.
Grant and Ross James - veterans of the UW-Madison rowing program - joined six teammates in finishing 4th in the men's eights which happened just after Kalmoe's event.
Germany won that race, while Canada took the silver and Great Britain the bronze.
Cheers of "Let's go, Kalmoe!" came from American fans who lined the course at the Eton College rowing center in London during the women's quad sculls race.
Kalmoe and her three teammates were 1.8 seconds behind at the first split, in second place. They fell 2.5 seconds behind the Ukranian team at the 1500 meter split.
On the medal stand, Kalmoe shed tears but still expressed smiles as she received her bronze medal and flowers from Olympic officials.
At the first 500 meter split of the 2000 meter men's eights race, the Americans were 2.3 seconds behind the leaders, in last place.
They remained in last at the 1000 meter mark, but climbed to 5th after 1500 meters and surged ahead to 4th at the final line.
Watch the races at 3:45 p.m. Milwaukee time Wednesday on TODAY'S TMJ4.
Click here for the rest of the Wisconsin Olympic athletes' schedule.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.