U23 Worlds Results: Davison races to historic 4th, Dwinell & Bilchik 5th in C Final

Last Updated: 30.Jul.2018

GRP U23 athletes wrapped up racing yesterday at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland which ran from July 25 - 29, 2018.

Ben Davison had an impressive five days of racing as the USA’s U23 Men’s Single Sculler (BM1x). When all was said and done, he came away with a 4th place finish (06:55.250) in the A Final. Canada (6:48.70); Germany (6:48.700); and Bulgaria (6:51.420) took gold, silver, bronze, respectively. Ireland (6:59.570) and Brazil (7:06.45) took 5th and 6th place respectively. Although it was tough coming short of the podium, Ben’s performance was a historic best in this event; and, we are so proud of him for quietly and humbly showing his devotion to this sport though his racing and his actions off the water. This year marks Ben's 4th year with the GRP, his 3rd year racing the BM1x at worlds, and his last year of eligibility to race at the Under 23 level. Ben had two 1st place finishes in the B final for the U23 Men’s 1x in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017 Ben won a bronze medal in the U23 Men’s 4+ (with coxswain).

Evan Dwinell & Josh Bilchik (BM2x) placed 5th (7:13.65) ​in Saturday’s C Final ​behind Romania (6:55.39); Norway (6:55.51); Estonia (7:03.34) and Israel (7:07.22) who placed  1-4 in the C final respectively. Evan and Josh​ did a great job of putting together a lineup within just one month of arriving at Craftsbury this June. Before their summer at Craftsbury Evan and Josh had some sculling experience, but Evan noted that U23 Worlds Trials was his first experience with racing in a sculling shell. Evan placed 4th at the  2016 U23 World Champs in the Men's 4- (without coxswain) - and notes that aside from his gap year learning how to scull with the club Sarasota Crew, he has no prior sculling experience. In high school, Josh placed 3rd in the junior double at Youth Nationals; but, until this summer, he hadn't raced since. Well done, gentlemen!

Team USA totaled 5 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal, and 2 Bronze Medals from worlds this year. Congratulations to all Team USA U23 athletes for your successes; and, to the winners and medalists - well rowed!! 

Photo credit: USRowing (more photos here)

Detailed results can be found at World Rowing

Next up...

Ben + John take on Senior World Champs in the 2x

GRP Senior Men race at Senior Worlds Trials II in their 1xs

GRP U23ers race at Canadian Henley

GRP Senior Women race at PanAm Games Trials in their 1xs