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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.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 London games, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics news hub.
