Hendershot's Medal Hopes Dashed

Missed winning the bronze medal by two-tenths of a second Wednesday.

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2012 | Updated 8:27 AM EDT

NBC Connecticut

A crowd at Simsbury High School cheered on alumna Sara Hendershot as she rowed in the women's pair final in the London Olympics Wednesday.

Dozens gathered at Simsbury High School early Wednesday to cheer on Sara Hendershot as she rowed for an Olympic medal in outside London.

Hendershot, a Simsbury High alumna, and her teammate, Sara Zalenka, finished two-tenths of a second out of medal contention in the women's pair final. They were edged out by the team from New Zealand in the last few meters of the race. Great Britain took the gold, Australia won the silver.

Hendershot and Zalenka trailed for most of the 2000-meter race at Eton Dorney, but made up ground with about 500 meters to go. They were neck-and-neck with New Zealand before being passed at the finish line.

Hendershot's friends and coach, who watched the race at Simsbury High, were disappointed, but proud of her accomplishments at the Olympics.

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