Emma Preuchl's boat won th silver at the Bejing Paralympics.

Here is Emma's recollection of the race

Good afternoon,

I have very good news to share with you. The United States LTA Mixed
fourt with coxswain pulled a 3:37.61 to win a Silver medal in their
final event on thursday Sept.11. Italy came in first and Great
Britain was 3rd.

The race started off slow as USA was in fifth place off the starting
blocks. The Italian team just blew out of the start. They were ahead
right away. Once we caught our breath we gained some speed through
the 500 meter mark where we started building our sprint. Lenthening
our strokes with every catch, we we able to slowly even out with the
field. China charging from behind, the Germans and Great Britain
just like sitting ducks on either side of us. With 250 meters to go,
we began taking a charge through Germany and slowly walking through
Great Britain. Every stroke gave us another seat on the British. At
that point we had the Brits and were looking at the Italian team.
The last 10 strokes of the race were quite possibly the longest
hardest strokes I have ever taken but it pushed us ahead of Great
Britiain just in time. As we crossed the finish line I had to double
check that the race was over and I was still conscious. I glanced
around and immediatley flailed my arms in the air because I knew I
was a champion. I would have to say it was the most exhilarating
feeling to be a winner. As I gasped for air I hugged my teamamtes
and tear streamed down my cheeks. I had a own a medal for the United
States of America on September 11th; a very proud moment for me.

I wish you all could have been there to see it in person. I do not
think email does this event justice. At this point there is no
footage available for you to watch but I know there will be in the
near future. You can see a photo or two at these
weblinks.
US Rowing Pictures
World Rowing Pictures


I would like to give a big shoutout to all of my family members,
friends, coaches, and co-workers who have helped me train this past
summer. I could not have done this without your support and
friendship. My job here in China is done but it's never too early to
start training for next year.

Cheers,

Emma Preuschl

Emma will be at Purdue for the "shout out" at the October 4th football game as well as going to the whitehouse to see the president on the 7-8.

Paralympics

General Information about Adaptive Rowing

Emma's boat

Emma's blog

Pictures from the US Adaptive Trials

Emma has been asked to be the guest of honor and speak at the regional meeting of the Brachial Plexus Injury
support group in St. Louis in October
We are all very proud to call Emma a Purdue Crew oarswoman