Two locals and longtime rowers, Alia Shafi, an Acalanes High School alumni from Lafayette and now at Brown University, and Brittany Presten, from Orinda and a student at Stanford University, are part of a four-person team that last month won the U23 rowing Trials regatta -- and now has the chance to represent the United States at the u23 World Championships in Varese, Italy!
The two started rowing at Oakland Strokes and always dreamed of one day representing the USA!
"This time a year ago we could only joke and dream of making the U23 team, but as of June 24th 2014 it became our reality," write the teammates. "A win in the lightweight 4x at Trials secured our spot as the boat to travel and represent the US in Varese on July 22nd."
Also on their team: Emma Betuel, a New Yorker and Brown student, and Christine Cavallo, a Stanford student.
The athletes are responsible for costs for basic transportation, hotel, food and entry fees, which they estimate to be about $1,800 per person. Another $1,500 to $2,200 per person will be needed for airfare -- and then the costs of boats and blades!
If you would like to give these young competitors a boost and some financial support, visit their fundraising web page here.
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