Our region has contributed to America's success in the current Olympic Games.
Natalie Dell, a graduate of Everett Area High School and product of Penn State University, was part of the U.S. women's quadruple sculls team that rowed to a bronze medal last week at Eton Dorney.
Dell teamed with Adrienne Martelli of University Place, Wash., two-time Olympian Megan Kalmoe of St. Croix Falls, Wis., and Kara Kohler of Clayton, Calif., to finish with a time of 6 minutes, 40.63 seconds. Ukraine won the gold in 6:35.93, and Germany was second in 6:38.09.
It was only the second time the U.S. has medaled in rowing and the first time in 28 years.
Dell was a track standout at Everett and began to row about 10 years ago during her freshman year at Penn State. She graduated from PSU in 2007, joined the Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge, Mass., two years later and made the U.S. Rowing national team in 2010.
Competitive rowing is not all that familiar to most sports fans, but this much is clear: It takes a great athlete to participate - and succeed - at the Olympic level.
Teamwork, rhythm, timing and tremendous physical conditioning are mandatory.
We salute Natalie Dell, who has made our area proud.
