Coxswain’s Rallying Cry Spurs US Women’s Eight to More Gold

Emily Regan, Kerry Simmonds, Amanda Polk, Lauren Schmetterling, Tessa Gobbo, Meghan Musnicki, Eleanor Logan, Amanda Elmore and Katelin Snyder, of United States, celebrate winning gold in the women's rowing eight during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 13, 2016. AP Photo/Luca Bruno

RIO DE JANEIRO—The U.S. boat was in third place halfway through the race when coxswain Katelin Snyder shouted the magic words: “This is the U.S. women’s eight!”

Yes, it was.

The crew responded and did what it always does: It won.

The U.S. women’s eight is a seemingly invincible boat, with 11 consecutive world and Olympic titles since 2006.

Only two crew members racing Saturday remained from the boat that won gold in the London Olympics, and only one from Beijing four years earlier.

It didn’t matter.

Canada led after the first 1,000 meters of the 2,000-meter race, with the U.S. in third. But when Snyder unleashed her rallying cry, everyone knew what had to happen.

“She yelled, ’this is the U.S. women’s eight!' And we rallied,” said Kerry Simmonds, who rowed in seat No. 2.

The women's rowing teams from the United States (L) and Romania celebrate on the dock after winning medals in the women's eight event at Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 13, 2016. Romania took the bronze, the United states the gold, and Britain the silver. Jeremy Lee/Pool Photo via AP