James W. (Jimmy) von Peters was one of only 18 men invited to attend the 2012 US Rowing Men’s Under 23 National Team Sculling Camp. Coaches at this elite camp will choose the Men’s 4x team to compete at the U23 (Under 23) World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania in July.
Jimmy is the son of William and Susan von Peters of Chattanooga. A graduate of Red Bank High currently attending Oklahoma City University (OCU) and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, Jimmy is one of the top rowers in Sculling in the United States.
“Being selected to attend the camp was a real honor,” said Jimmy, “Last year, I trained for the trials at the Devon Boathouse [in Oklahoma City] and was more of a ‘walk on’ competitor. I missed the U23 World team by just 3 hundredths of a second. Training at the National Team camp this year will make a big difference.”
Jimmy continued, “The camp will pick the best four man boat for the World’s, and the people who aren’t in that boat will compete for the two man boat. I’m confident that I can make the team, and then help bring home Chattanooga’s first gold from the World Championships.”
Jimmy von Peters was named All-American in his Freshman year, and was national champion in the Men’s Open Single event at the American Collegiate Rowing Association Championships.
Jimmy has won over 20 gold medals at regattas across the nation, including the Head of the Hooch, Head of the Texas, and Head of the Oklahoma Regatta.
He has also won numerous bronze and silver medals, including silvers at the single 500m sprint at Club Nationals and the Boot of the Oklahoma Regatta. This past May, he medaled bronze at the Dad Vale National Championships in Philadelphia.
Jimmy began rowing at age 16 as a member of the Chattanooga Junior Rowing (CJR) team, coached by Jack Fish. He won gold many times, including at the Head of the Hooch, where he was scouted by OCU coach Cameron Brown.
“Chattanooga Junior Rowing has a great program that helps kids to learn the sport,” said Jimmy. “It’s an awesome organization that more people should know about. They really challenge you to succeed both on the water and in life.”
“I earned my scholarship to scull for Oklahoma City because of the support of CJR and Lookout Rowing. Jack Fish was a great coach and mentor. He really knows a lot about the sport. ”
The camp runs from June 6 through July 1, with selectees traveling to Trakai, Lithuania on July 6 to compete in the U23 World Championship races held July 11-15.