(Bearden High School) -- Oak Ridge, Tenn. (May 4, 2009) - Bryna Oleshansky, daughter of David and Deborah Oleshansky of Knoxville and a junior at Bearden High School, has been selected as one of 50 female high school athletes from across the nation to participate in the USRowing women’s junior selection team.

Bryna began rowing in the 6th grade by attending an Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA) summer camps. Now in her fourth year of rowing with the ORRA’s Atomic youth rowing program, sponsored by ORRA, the six-footer sits seat #6 in the Atomic women’s varsity eight-person boat.

“Bryna is the first female athlete from the Oak Ridge program to be selected to a national-level team in over 10 years, which is huge in itself,” said Allen Eubanks, Atomic Head Coach. “Bryna is probably one of the top athletes that I have had the privilege to work with. This is a great opportunity for her, and I hope that she is able to enjoy the experience of representing the USA. Being part of this will unlock several college prospects for her as she moves into her senior year.”

In 2008, at age 16, Bryna competed in the World Indoor Rowing Championship, in Boston Massachusetts, placing 8th out a field of 200 athletes with a time of 7:20.0 for a 2000m piece. Then she was selected to participate in the USRowing Under-16 development camp. While attending the camp, Bryna placed 3rd in the women’s junior eight-boat event and 1st in the women’s junior-B eight-boat event at the USRowing Club National Regatta held in Camden, New Jersey. This year, Bryna has captured the title of Atomic Erg Queen by posting a time of 7:11.8, which is the fastest 2000m Rowing Machine time in the 30-year history of the club for a female junior athlete.

When asked about her accomplishment, Bryna remarked, "I am really excited for this chance to work with national-level coaches and athletes and compete internationally. I hope to improve my rowing skills and bring what I learn back to my team here in Oak Ridge. When I started six years ago, I remember how hard rowing was and that I told my parents that I didn’t like rowing, but rowing has really changed my life, given me great friends, and opened opportunities that I wouldn’t have had in other sports. I’m really glad I have stayed with it."

“Bryna has placed herself into a position to be one of the top recruits in the nation for the 2010 class.” Coach Eubanks mentioned. “Many pretty high powered colleges have contacted me about Bryna. But her success has spilled over to her teammates as well. College recruiters have inquired about all nine ladies in her boat. I just hope that Atomic can continue talented athletic young people in the future to build on this teams success.”

Athletes that have been invited to participate with the USRowing Women’s Junior National Team will report to camp the third week in June to compete for a seat on one of the crews of three US junior national teams. All three teams will have opportunities to gain international experience. The US Junior National Team will be defending last year’s gold medal, competing as part of the 2009 World Rowing Junior Championships to be held in Brive la Gaillarde, France. The High Performance Team will travel to Germany for a week to train with the German national team for a week, while the CanAmMex Team will travel to Oak Ridge, TN to race the Canadian and Mexican junior national teams at the USRowing Club Nationals held in July.

Bryna and her Atomic Rowing teammates will compete May 9-10 in the Southeast Youth Championships being held in Oak Ridge, vying for a chance to earn an invitation bid to attend the USRowing National Championships in Cincinnati this June.