Linz-Ottensheim, Austria - Former Big Red rowers Kate Roach '15, Tracy Eisser '12 and Alex Karwoski '12 each qualified their respective boats for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo with strong placings at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. The Olympic athletes that will compete on those boats in Tokyo will be selected at a later date.
 
Now less than a year away from the 2020 Olympic Games, Roach, Eisser and Karwoski are one step closer to reaching their goal of earning a spot on the US Olympic roster. Eisser and Karwoski each competed for the US at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, while Roach is aiming for her first Olympic opportunity.
 
"Qualifying your boat for the Olympics if huge," said Staley Head Coach of Women's Rowing Steve Coppola. "It allows athletes to focus on being in top shape for the Olympic games and not have to worry about peaking for a qualification race a few months before the games. It removes a large distraction from the athlete's plate in preparation."
 
A six-time member of the US women's senior national team, Eisser finished fourth in the women's pair to just miss the medal stand. Paired with Megan Kalmoe, Eisser crossed the finish line in 7:32.25, with the Canadian boat taking bronze in 7:26.52. Eisser and Kalmoe beat out Italy by a bowball to finish second in the semifinals' which guaranteed the boat a spot at the Olympics. Eisser has a history of success at the World Rowing Championships, winning gold twice, once in the quadruple skulls at the 2015 world championships and again in the women's eight at the 2018 world championships.
 
Karwoski and the US men's eight finished in fifth place with a time of 5:23.92 to cross the line 0.55 seconds before New Zealand. The men's eight took second place in its semifinal race to earn a spot in the medal race. Karwoski has been a member of the men's senior national team since 2013 and competed in the men's eight at the 2016 Olympic Games where his crew placed fourth.
 
"We are so very proud of Alex, Coach (Mike) Teti and the rest of the crew that qualified the men's 8+ for the Tokyo Olympics," said Spirit of '57 Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing Todd Kennett. "That is not a small feat, and it only helps to improve their chance of success at the games. We are all very hopeful for their continued growth and finding of those few seconds needed to help them onto the medal podium next year!"
 
Competing with the women's quadruple sculls crew, Roach won the "B" final to place seventh overall at the championships. Finishing with a time of 6:40.11, the US defeated second-place Italy by nearly six seconds. With a third-place finish in repechage, Roach and the quadruple sculls crew missed the "A" final by just 0.18 seconds and needed a top two finish in its final to earn an Olympic qualifier spot.
 
"Step one was accomplished, they have a seat to compete for," said Coppola. "Now the fun work starts, earning the opportunity to stay in that seat! We're so excited for Tracy and Kate. The Cornell family will be supporting them in any way we can to help them get across the finish line in Tokyo."