Brooks, Hogan finish second in heat, advance

LINZ, Austria — A.J. Brooks and J.P. Hogan, both Newport Harbor High students, finished second in their heat to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Junior Rowing World Championships Wednesday in Linz, Austria.

Brooks and Hogan, representing the U.S. in the junior men’s pair, followed Greece and finished ahead of Serbia. The junior men’s pair featured 25 nations. The teams were divided into six heats with the three boats in each heat, plus the next fastest time, advancing to today’s quarterfinals.

Brooks and Hogan, who both row for Newport Aquatic Center, qualified for the U.S. junior national rowing team last month when they met the qualifying standard in Windsor, N.J.

The duo were part of the NAC men’s eight that won the gold medal at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships June 15 in Batavia, Ohio.

It was the first time a Southern California crew won the men’s eight gold medal at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships.

— From staff reports