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ROWING: Guerette and Inman Named 2005 USRowing Athletes of the Year
// Brett Johnson // November 1, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Michelle Guerette (Bristol, Conn.) and Josh Inman (Hillsboro, Ore.) have been named USRowing’s 2005 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively, the organization announced Tuesday.Guerette, a 2002 graduate of Harvard University, won a bronze medal in the women’s single sculls at the 2005 FISA World Rowing Championships to highlight her first year on the international scene as a single sculler. The five-time national team member became the first U.S. woman to win a medal in the single at the world level since 1988 when Anne Marden won silver at the Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Guerette, a member of the 2004 Olympic women’s quadruple sculls, also won the women’s championship single event at the 2005 Head of the Charles. “It feels great because the Athlete of the Year is chosen by your fellow athletes. It’s the highest honor you can get,” Guerette said. “The athletes understand what goes into competing at this level better than anyone and to get their support is so meaningful.” Inman, a 2003 graduate of Oregon State University, helped the U.S. win a gold medal in the men’s eight at the 2005 World Championships in Gifu, Japan. The two-time national team member rowed six-seat in the eight in Japan. Last year, Inman helped the men’s four with coxswain win a bronze medal at the world championships. “It’s a little surprising and a great honor,” Inman said. “It’s just an honor to be picked by your fellow athletes.” The athletes and coaches of the 2005 World Championships squad selected this year’s USRowing Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Guerette and Inman will be honored on December 3 at the USRowing Annual Banquet in Towson, Md. Both are first-time recipients of the award. USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing’s Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; its Official Dock is Connect-A-Dock; its Official Suppliers are NIKE, Inc., Filippi Boat Manufacturer/Elite Rowing, Inc., WinTech Racing, and System Scale Corp.; and its Preferred Printer is Sport Graphics Printing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation. -30-
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