MARTELLIWATCH: University Place's Adrienne Martelli Helps U.S. Rowing Advance

ETON DORNEY, ENGLAND-University Place's Adrienne Martelli helped secure the Americans' chances to make the finals of the women's quadruple sculls at the London Olympics.

The Curtis graduate helped the U.S. finish with a time of 6 minutes, 15.76 of the first heat Saturday, finishing two seconds behind world champion Germany, which automatically gets a place in the finals.

Martelli and the Americans will row again Monday for a chance to make the finals against Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Poland and China.

Here's an account of the race from Kim Hastings with Examiner.com:

The German and American boats were neck and neck for the first 100 meters before the Germans took a 3/4 length lead that they held for most of the rest of the race. The Americans made a gallant attempt at a comeback just after the halfway mark but the Germans beat back the attempt with a surge of their own.

Of some concern to the Americans, as they advance in the competition, may be the events that marked the closing 50 meters of the race. The Germans opened up their largest margin of the race at the end, showing incredible stamina as the grandstands came into view. American rowers hope to finish stronger in future races during Olympic competition.

Check back for updates on Martelli's progress.