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US Rowing: Local Rowers Prepare For 2012 London Olympics

The US Rowing team features three local products, all aiming for gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics.

WEST WINDSOR, NJ - JUNE 14:  Sarah Zelenka and Sara Hendershot celebrate the win of the Womens 2 final during Day 2 of the 2012 Olympic Rowing Trials on June 14, 2012 at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
WEST WINDSOR, NJ - JUNE 14: Sarah Zelenka and Sara Hendershot celebrate the win of the Womens 2 final during Day 2 of the 2012 Olympic Rowing Trials on June 14, 2012 at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The US Rowing Team is preparing for the 2012 London Olympics and among them will be a trio of local rowers. Rowing for the USA men's eight, DeKalb natives -- and twin brothers -- Ross James and Grant James will be representing the Prairie State. The two brothers are also accomplished marksman in addition to skilled rowers, and were initially walk-ons at the lauded Wisconsin Men's Rowing Team.

Here is a look at the US men's eight, courtesy of USRowing.org:

  • Zach Vlahos (c), 8/19/88, 5’9", 121, Piedmont, Calif., USRowing TC – Chula Vista
  • Grant James (s), 8/17/87, 6’5", 195, DeKalb, Ill.
  • David Banks (7), 8/30/83, 6’2", 192, Potomac, Md.
  • Steve Kasprzyk (6), 2/14/82, 6’7", 215, Cinnaminson, N.J.
  • Jake Cornelius (5), 10/2/84, 6’6", 208, Brooktondale, N.Y.
  • Brett Newlin (4), 3/24/82, 6’9", 225, Riverton, Wyo.
  • Ross James (3), 8/17/87, 6’5", 195, DeKalb, Ill.
  • Will Miller (2), 6/13/84, 6’5", 205, Duxbury, Mass.
  • Giuseppe Lanzone (b), 10/12/82, 6’4", 214, Annandale, Va.

Meanwhile, Itasca, Illinois, native Sarah Zelenka will be rowing stroke for the women's pair, teamed with bow Sara Hendershot. The 6-foot-0 Lake Park High School graduate won the pair competition at the 2012 Olympic Trials and is aiming for a gold medal in London.

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