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July 25, 2011

Drew Rutherford
UTLadyVols.com

Tennessee senior rower Erika Lauderdale recently claimed gold and silver medals at the 2011 U.S. Rowing Club Nationals at Eagle Creek Lake in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Bartlett, Tenn., native won a gold medal in the women's senior 4+ final with a time of seven minutes 22.04 seconds.

"It was awesome," Lauderdale said. "We had just been thrown into that boat the week before so we hadn't practiced much together. The four of us and the coxswain really talked a lot and we raced really hard. It was such a great feeling for all of us. It was good to have that payoff."

She followed that up with a silver-medal performance in the 8+ final in six minutes 43.59 seconds.

"I feel like I'll be coming back in the fall knowing a lot more about the sport because of this experience," Lauderdale said. "I understand how the physiology of rowing better and I think I've improved so much. I feel like I have a completely different perspective now."

U.S. Rowing selected Lauderdale in April to train at the Women's Pre-Elite National Team Camp in Syracuse, N.Y.

"The Pre-Elite camp was a great experience for Erika," said Lisa Glenn, head rowing coach. "Her experience will be an asset for the team as we take on an exciting 2011-2012 campaign. I look forward to utilizing the great resources for success we have here at Tennessee to support Erika in her quest for a position on the U-23 National Team."