Michigan State University Athletics
Cowal Departs For World Championships
7/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
July 14, 2011
East Lansing, Mich. - Recent MSU graduate and 2011 Big Ten Athlete of the Year Laura Cowal (Thorold, Ontario) is once again representing her home country in the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. The world championship regatta gets underway July 20 at Bosbaan in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Cowal will once again compete in the Canadian women's eight at this event, after capturing a bronze medal in the 2010 World Championships.
"Laura is an exceptional rower and fierce competitor," noted MSU head coach Matt Weise, who coached Cowal throughout her time in East Lansing. "She was a standout in our program and a major contributor to all four of our Big Ten Championship varsity eights. It is always a tremendous honor to compete for your country, and I am so happy for her that she gets this opportunity again."
Cowal earned All-America honors in addition to the Big Ten Athlete of the Year kudos. She became the first athlete in Big Ten rowing history to win four varsity eight gold medals at the Big Ten Championships and just the second to capture both Freshman of the Year and Athlete of the Year honors.
Six of the young women in the Canadian eight for the world championships row collegiately in the United States, and 11 of the 14 women representing Canada at this championship overall.
The Canadian contingent has already reported to Amsterdam, and competition begins on Wednesday, July 20 and runs through the weekend. The official website of the World Championships is http://www.amsterdamrowing.com/
