Stacey Borgman of Homer edged closer to an Olympic berth Thursday, when she and teammate Sarah Hirst of Seattle won their heat in the lightweight women's double sculls and advanced to today's semifinals at the 2004 Rowing World Cup Regatta in Munich, Germany.
Borgman, 29, and Hirst, 26, won their heat in 7 minutes, 12.93 seconds, the third-fastest time among 19 teams that competed in four heats. The only faster teams were heat winners from Canada (7:10.85) and Germany (7:12.59).
Borgman and Hirst will make the U.S. Olympic team for this summer's Games in Athens if they finish in the top four in Munich.
Even if they fail to finish in the top four, they have one more shot to qualify at the U.S. Olympic Trials next month.
Borgman and Hirst staged a come-from-behind victory Thursday. They were in third place after 500 meters and trailed the leading boat by 1.59 seconds. At 1,000 meters, the Americans were second, down by 1.98 seconds. And after 1,500 meters they remained second, 1.43 behind the leader. But the Americans surged in the final 500 meters and won by .88 of a second.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
Hess leads Colony
Colony pitcher Joe Hess flirted with a no-hitter in Thursday's 9-4 victory over Valdez in the Region III baseball tournament at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer.
Hess lost his no-hit bid in the top of the seventh inning. His complete-game effort included 11 strikeouts. Teammate Mike Bodziony's RBI triple keyed Colony's four-run first inning.
In other action, Homer edged Palmer 5-4 on Johnny Taylor's walk-off single, Wasilla hammered Kenny Lake 18-0 and Kodiak battled Houston in the late game.
The tournament winner will earn the region's lone berth to state next week in Fairbanks.
ORIENTEERING
Schwoerer, Verrier win
Anchorage's Toby Schwoerer and Adam Verrier teamed to win Bill's Score-O orienteering event Wednesday at Kincaid Park.
The Nordic skiing maestros scored 1,180 points. Jen Jolliff and Ian Moore followed for 940.
In the individual score, O event, Gary Snyder collected 730 points to win the event title.
Bill's Score-O Orienteering
Wednesday's Results
Two Person Relay O -- 1) Toby Schwoerer, Adam Verrier 1,180; 2) Jen Jolliff, Ian Moore 940; 3) Tron Jensen, Marianne Pedersen 900; 4) Dan Ellsworth, Eric Follett 820; 5) Steve Gruhn, Paul Carson 800; 6) Trond and Lindsey Flagstad 670; 7) Andrew Lee, Jim Green 620; 8) Ben Summit, Brian Durrell 520; 9) Chad and Cody Huggins 450.
White course -- 1) Libby Kugel, Elisabeth Knapp 22 minutes; 2) John Adamson 22:17; 3) Ramey Family 24:00; 4) Don and Johnny 28:00; 5) J. and W. Turinsky 30:00; 6) Peggy and Scott Kugel 34:00; 7) Patricial, Nolan and Marina Thompson 34:00; 8) Larry and Marlene Collier 34:48; 9) Piehl, Clayton, Caitlin and Ann Collier 38:00; 10) Lisa Ferber 39:00; 11) Donna Cahalane 41:40; 12) Kim and Erma 42:00; 13) Terry, Shelly, Patrick, Cat, Rowan 45:00; 14) Shannon, Rebekah, Matt and Naomi Green 46:00; 15) Kevin, Michelle and Ivy Turinsky 49:49; 16) Tazlina Ireland 50:00; 17) Harris 55:00; 18) Sato Family 1:04:00; 19) Kim and Matthew Isada 1:04:00.
1:15 Score O -- 1) Gary Snyder 730; 2) Dean Black, Jared Gardner and Jonas Berggren 540; 3) Sean McMahony and Adam Zeamar 470; 4) Jaime Andersen and Eeva Latosvo 470; 5) Karen and Blaine Broga 430; 6) Ben Swenson 420; 7) Chris and Memry Dahl 420; 8) Stephen and Cheryl Hunt 410; 9) Jenna L. and Kathy Z. 400; 10) Jill Follett, Leslie Kroloff 390; 11) Cahalane Family 340; 12) Joel Cusick 340; 13) Thompson, MacLeod 330; 14) Giselle Bergeron 310; 15) Dennison 310; 16) Bruner Family 290; 17) Riley and Tom Broga 290; 18) Todd Weaver 270; 19) Eileen Follett 240; 20) Cindy Liggett, Greta Yarbrough 130; 21) Jim Greeley, Treva Krupa 100.
