Two locals help U.S. crew win women's 8 rowing, knocking off Romania

BEIXIAOYING TOWN, China — The United States has won the gold medal in women's eight rowing, finally knocking off Romania and another crew for a win in the sport's signature event.

Erin Cafaro, Lindsay Shoop, Anna Goodale, Elle Logan, Anna Cummins, Susan Francia, Caroline Lind, Caryn Davies and coxswain Mary Whipple won on Sunday in 6 minutes, 5.34 seconds. They laughed and screamed as the crossed the finish line.

Femke Dekker, Marlies Smulders, Nienke Kingma, Roline Repelaer van Driel, Annemarieke van Rumpt, Helen Tanger, Sarah Siegelaar, Annemiek de Haan and coxswain Ester Workel of the Netherlands won silver in 6:07.22.

Romania was denied a fourth straight Olympic gold medal in the eight. The crew of Constanta Burcica, Viorica Susanu, Rodica Maria Serban, Eniko Barabas, Simona Dumitrita Musat, Ioana Cristina Papuc, Georgeta Andrunache, Doina Ignat and coxswain Elena Georgescu took bronze in 6:07.25.