Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Bruggeman Takes Fourth At World Championship

Sept. 30, 2017

University of Notre Dame alumna rower Molly Bruggeman (’14) finished up Notre Dame’s involvement in the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, on Saturday, September 30, by helping the United States women’s four to a fourth place finish in the A Final.

Bruggeman, in the bow position, behind Kristine O’Brien, Erin Reelick and Chanse Kendall finished fourth in 6:35.460 – trailing Russia in 6:34.670 in third place. Australia claimed the event victory in 6:33.580.

Bruggeman and Ellen Gleadow (’16, Team Canada) were the two Notre Dame representatives who competed at the World Championships. Erin Boxberger (’17) was also part of the United States team as an alternate.

Gleadow, along with Patricia Mara, Jennifer Casson and Jill Moffatt, performed a furious rally in the final 500 meters of LW4x A Final on Friday afternoon to put themselves in medal contention, but were edged in a photo finish for the bronze medal. Canada finished in 6:36.460, just behind China in 6:36.330.

The fourth-place finish is the best international effort for Gleadow with Team Canada. She finished seventh in the BLW2x at the 2016 U-23 world championship and seventh in the LW2x at the 2017 World Cup.

The 2017 World Rowing Championships marks the first time the United States is hosting the event since 1994 (Indianapolis). The competition is being held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, as the national teams from across the world look to develop their boats for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.