May 22, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford men's rowing alumni David Banks '05 and Jake Cornelius '05 were part of the U.S. Eight that captured a four-second victory over New Zealand Tuesday at the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, claiming a spot in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Banks and Cornelius were named to the boat's new lineup May 1, following an arduous training camp held in Berkeley. USRowing opted to make changes to the original crew that had failed to earn an Olympic spot at the World Rowing Championships last September.
"We are thankful and honored to represent the U.S. in the Eight at the qualifier," Banks said prior to the event. "We know it's going to be a tough race and are training hard and working to get faster. We can't appreciate enough the support from Stanford University, Stanford Athletics, and especially Stanford's Men's Crew team. We would not have this opportunity without Stanford and Coach Amerkhanian."
"We are training hard and trying to get faster," Cornelius said. "It's an honor to be representing the United States. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of Stanford Rowing and the leadership of its coaching staff."
After rolling through the qualifying heats and earning the top seed in the final, the U.S. Eight led from the start in Tuesday's do-or-die race for a spot in London. By the opening 500 meters, the U.S. had built a lead of over two seconds, slowly adding to that advantage before crossing the line in a time of 5:36.11, nearly four seconds ahead of New Zealand's 5:40.02.
"David and Jake constructed the Stanford Boathouse 'can do' culture," said Stanford men's rowing head coach Craig Amerkhanian. "Both men have represented our University with dignity. I am proud to have coached both. Qualifying the eight is just the beginning of a magnificent Olympic experience for David, Jake, their families and friends."