Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/527664
103 T wo University of Iowa rowers received elite invitations to national rowing camps and will have the opportunity to put the Hawkeyes on the map in the summer. Sophomore Morgan Grastorf and freshman Gemma Kerr were selected to attend the 2015 U.S. Women's Under 23 National Team Selection Camp and the 2015 Junior Canadian National Team Selection Camp, respectively. "It's fantastic for them and it's fantastic for our pro- gram," UI head coach Andrew Carter said. "It is anoth- er opportunity to have the Tigerhawk in people's faces, whether that's the University of Iowa winning races or it's them in a national selection situation. "Watching Morgan come out of the novice ranks and get this done twice in a row is impressive. She went in there as a strong, fit woman without a lot of technical prowess a year ago, but they invited her back. at's a great sign for her progress, and a sign that we are do- ing it right at Iowa. We are preparing people for those systems." Last year aer her inaugural rowing season, Grastorf was invited to attend the 2014 USRowing Women's Pre-Elite Camp. "It's a big deal because I was invited to the freshman camp last year," said Grastorf. "Now this is the real deal, and there is a lot of great competition. I'm ner- vous, excited, and ready to prove to myself and to oth- ers that I belong there. "I know what to expect, I know what needs to be done, so I feel prepared for the opportunity." Kerr — a member of the 2V8+ crew — will begin trials to earn a spot on the 2015 Junior Canadian National Team from June 8-11 in Welland, Ontario. e tri- als determine the athletes with appropriate speed to proceed with the next steps of selection to either the World Championships or CanAMex Regatta teams. "I couldn't be more pleased with Gemma's progress in her first year at Iowa," said Carter. "e progress in her fitness and technical ability has been phenomenal and, as we've kept her in communication with Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA), she's been able to rise to the top of their junior monitoring program. e quality of her work over the past year has earned her an opportunity to trial for the Canadian Junior Team. "Interestingly, the connection has been made with incoming Hawkeye, Hannah Bristowe, who will also be involved in the RCA selection process. Gemma and Hannah will race in a pair (2-) together in the coming trials, so Iowa will be well represented." Since the arrival of Carter, Iowa has seen an increase of national opportunities, which shows the program is steadily improving and heading in the right direction. He believes that many more Hawkeye rowers have the ability to receive invitations and foresees a continued presence at national camps. "We can have others in that mix. If we can get their confidence to a point where they can submit their name for selection, we can have others there too," said Carter.