Olympic Qualification: OKC Rowers Charge into Final

The U.S. lightweight men’s four won its repechage to highlight racing Monday at the 2012 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. The lightweight four, along with the women’s double sculls and the men’s eight, will race in the finals Tuesday for a chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

After a 90-minute weather delay Monday evening, OKC's Robin Prendes, Nick LaCava, Will Newell and Anthony Fahden led from the start in the first repechage of the lightweight men’s four, gaining open water on New Zealand by the 1,500-meter mark. The U.S. posted a 6:11.11 at the line. New Zealand also advanced with a second-place time of 6:13.26.

The final is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:50 p.m. local time. Racing Brazil, Spain, The Netherlands, Serbia and New Zealand, the U.S. will need to place in the top two to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.