ITHACA, N.Y. -- Former Cornell rower Tracy Eisser '12 and teammate Megan Kalmoe have advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic women's pairs event after finishing second in their Sunday morning repechage race on the Sea Forest Waterway. 

With three to advance from the repechage, Kalmoe and Eisser got off the line in fourth position before moving into third place in the second 500 meters. Ireland held a slight lead at the 500-meter mark before Greece moved into the top spot. The U.S. boat overtook Ireland just after the midway point, closing the gap on the leaders, but Greece was able to withstand the challenge over the final 500 meters to claim the victory. Greece clocked a 7:28.00 to finish 1.87 seconds ahead of the U.S., which clocked a 7:29.87.

Kalmoe and Eisser will take on Italy, Romania, New Zealand, Russia and Spain in the second of two semifinals on Wednesday.

Portions of this story courtesy of US Rowing