Oct. 17, 2011

BERKELEY -

Former California women's rower Megan Smith won the silver medal as part of the double sculls Monday at the 2011 Pan American Games at the Canoe & Rowing Course in Ciudad Guzman, Guadalajara.

Smith, who graduated in 2007, paired with Monica George and clocked a time of 7:29.05. Argentina's Maria Abalo and Maria Best took first at 7:24.57, while Canada's Sarah Bonikowsky and Sandra Kisil finished third (7:32.74).

Prior to the second-place finish, Smith and George were victorious in their preliminary heat, boasting a time of 7:31.72, topping Abalo and Best by nearly five seconds (7:36.22).

Smith competed on the back-to-back NCAA Championship Golden Bear squads in 2005 and '06. In 2006, as a junior, Smith rowed on the varsity eight boat that took first at the Pac-10 Championships and second at NCAAs. The year before, Smith competed on the second varsity eight that placed second at Pac-10s and NCAAs.