(Photo By Clark Gillespie

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Recent Williams College graduate Katherine Robinson and her teammates have advanced to the finals in U23 World Championships in rowing.

Robinson's quad took a second-place finish in Heat One this morning in Racice, Czech Republic.

The Lightweight U23 quad race is being contested at the U23 World Championships for the first time. The competition features nine boats that were divided into two heats with the top two boats in each heat going directly to the Final. The four women in each boat had to weigh in two hours before the race with each boat having an average weight of 57 kilograms.

Stroked by Kaja Brecht, Germany set the pace in Heat One getting out just in front of the Netherlands. As the Dutch slipped back, the United States moved into second and tried to get up with the Germans. Germany, however, were in control throughout and got to the finish line easily in front, finishing in 6:48.18.

The U.S. crew with bow Devery Karz, Summers Nelson (2), Robinson (3) and stroke Victoria Burke claimed a spot in Sunday's final with a time of 6:52.85, just ahead of the Netherlands (6:53.73)

Australia did not hold back in Heat Two, despite being in the lead. The French were hot on the tails of the Aussies and unrelenting, however, France also had to worry about a surging Japanese crew. The French continued to work hard to keep their qualification hopes alive. Coming into the final sprint, three boats were battling it out for two spots with Australia still in the lead. A solid sprint by Japan gave them second and, along with Australia a position in Sunday’s Final.

Australia won Heat Two with a time of 6:49.55 and Japan was second in 6:51.91.

Robinson and her teammates are in position to claim a medal at the U23 World Championships provided they finish ahead of at least one boat in the finals.

Robinson, who was senior captain of the Eph women's team, hails from Marysville, Wash. Over the course of her four years in the Purple Valley, she rowed in the novice 8-plus, the 2V8-plus, both sides in the varsity boat and stroked the 1V8 this season that went undefeated. She earned First Team All-America honors this season.