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Briefs: Lofgren reaches final

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Esther Lofgren, a Newport Harbor High product, is a part of the U.S. women’s eight who advanced to Sunday’s final of the Rowing World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The U.S. women’s eight were in one of two heats and need to finish in the top two to reach Sunday’s final. The United States, the reigning world champions, competed for the first time in an international race this season. The women’s eight showed few flaws.

Despite a last-minute change to its crew and two of its athletes racing in the morning, the United States outclassed the rest of the crews. The U.S. women held a long, controlled stroke to take their boat to the finish line in first. They led from start to finish and recorded a time of 6 minutes, 7.76 seconds.

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The German crew finished second after eding China to also qualify for Sunday’s final.

Canada, which won at the Henley Royal Regatta last week, won its heat, that saw Great Britain take second.

Lofgren, who was a member of the Newport Aquatic Center, is writing a blog for US Rowing. It can be found at https://usrowinglucerne.blogspot.com/.

— From staff reports

Men shine in Gstaad

Locals Jake Gibb, Sean Rosenthal and Matt Fuerbringer fared well at the Grand Slam FIVB World Tour event in Gstaad Switzerland Friday.

Gibb of Costa Mesa and Rosenthal of Corona del Mar were one of four American men’s duos to safely reach the second round after wins.

The No. 16-seeded duo of Gibb and Rosenthal as well Fuerbringer (Estancia High product) and Nick Lucena, seeded No. 13, earned a bye into the second round for winning their group.

Gibb and Rosenthal, who beat top seeds Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, take on Brazil’s Harley Marques and Pedro Salgado, the No. 5 seed, today.

Fuerbringer and Lucena face No. 3-seeded Adrian Gavira and Pablo Herrera of Spain, who eliminated Alison and Emanuel in the first round Friday.

The men’s round of 16 and quarterfinals will take place today, followed by the semifinals and medal matches on Sunday.

On the women’s side, Newport Harbor High alumni April Ross and Misty May-Treanor were part of teams who failed to reach the medal matches. It was the first time this season, U.S. women will not participate in the medal matches at an FIVB World Tour event. Ross and May-Treanor were on teams that finished ninth.

Ross and Jen Kessy, the No. 2 seeded team, were handled by No. 4-seeded Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China, 21-9, 21-15, handing them their second consecutive ninth-place finish. Ross and Kessy previously had advanced to eight straight FIVB semifinals.

May-Treanor and Nicole Branagh, the No. 5 seeds, were upset by 20th-seeded Emilia and Erika Nystrom of Finland in three sets, 21-17, 16-21, 16-14, for their worst finish since the season-opener in Brazil, when they also took ninth.

May-Treanor and Branagh, who are in their first season together, earned bronze last weekend in Stavanger, their first FIVB medal together.

The local beach volleyball players will return to the AVP next week whent they compete in the Hermosa Beach Open Friday through July 18.

— From staff reports

Jock Competes today

UC Irvine All-American Charles Jock is a member of the United States team that competes in the North American, Central American and Caribbean U-23 Track & Field Championships at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla., this weekend.

Jock will represent the USA in the 800 meters and is also in the pool for the 4x400 relay.

The 800 semifinals are at 7:20 a.m. (PT) today and the final is at 3:35 p.m. Sunday. The 4x400 relay semis are at 7:45 a.m. Sunday with the final at 5:15 p.m. that day.

— From staff reports

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