Siblings Bring Home Bronze from World Championships

The Kelly siblings were two of five rowers with ties to the island who made the trip to Italy in mid-July for the competition.

By Eric Odegard For Burton Beach Rowing Club • August 9, 2022 4:25 pm

Local rowers Kate and Davis Kelly both brought home bronze medals from the World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.

The Kelly siblings were two of five rowers with ties to the island who made the trip to Italy in mid-July for the competition.

Kate was a part of the Coxed Four for the U23 national team that brought home the bronze. The Australians won gold and the Italians took the silver.

“Racing internationally again was an incredible experience,” said Kate. “Being able to row with the girls in my crew made every practice enjoyable, and I’m proud of our outcome at the World Championships. My coach, Asiya Mahmud, was an amazing person to learn from, and my experience this summer has only made me more excited for this coming season at the University of Virginia (UVA).”

Kate’s brother Davis, also brought home a bronze medal as part of the U19 8+. Davis rowed in the 2-seat and was joined by his former Burton Beach Rowing Club (BBRC) teammate, Jordan Dykema, who rowed in the 5-seat.

In the first heat of the event, the team finished third. With the top two boats in each heat advancing to the A final, the U.S. crew was forced to row in the repechage — a contest in which the best-placed of those who failed to win heats compete for a place in the final. They won that event which gave them a spot in the final race, where they finished third to take the bronze. The German 8 won gold and the team from Great Britain took silver.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to race with incredible teammates these past few weeks,” said Davis. “I’m proud of what we accomplished as Team USA and I’m excited to continue on to the next chapter.”

The 8+ was the only men’s U19 crew from the U.S. to bring home a medal. The U19 women won gold for the U.S. in the 8+ and 4+ events.

A fourth local rower, Isabella “Bel” Battistoni, was a part of the gold medal-winning Team USA in the U23 Women’s 8+. Battistoni attended Holy Names and briefly trained on the island with the BBRC during COVID. Her gold was one of three that the US U23 teams won, along with three silvers and one bronze.

Gabbie Graves, another BBRC rower made the trip to Italy as a traveling reserve, and raced in the “spares race,” coming in a creditable sixth overall in her first ever singles race.

The Kellys will return to the island with the bronze medals in a short time, and after a few days, will continue to train at BBRC.

This September, Kate returns to UVA for her junior year and Davis begins his first year at Brown University.

Lisa Worthy, U.S. Rowing Photo The Bronze Medal 8+ crew, with Davis Kelly (second from left, back row) and Jordan Dykema (second from right, first row.