Cooperstown graduate Anne Kennedy helped the United States to a women’s eight gold medal Sunday during the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Hazewinkel, Belgium.

Kennedy, a Mount Vision native, contributed to the Americans’ 2.3-second victory over Belarus in Sunday’s final. The U.S. women’s eight, which finished in 6 minutes, 8.98 seconds, also included coxswain Katelin Snyder, Genevra Stone, Devan Darby, Esther Lofgren, Megan Smith, Kate Davison, Kady Glessner and Kerry Birk.

The crew established its lead during the first 500 meters and continued to pull away from the field during the middle half of the 2,[an error occurred while processing this directive]000-meter race. That helped the U.S. build an open-water advantage with 600 meters to go.

Belarus made a late push during the last quarter of the race but failed to mount a serious challenge. Belarus finished second in a 6:08.98. Germany earned the bronze medal in 6:09.97.

Kennedy’s women’s eight team had the fastest time out of two four-country heats Thursday. The U.S. crossed in 6:13.81. Belarus finished second, in 6:19.97.

Kennedy, 21, will be a senior and captain the Dartmouth University women’s rowing team this coming season.

The U.S. also earned silver in the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls, missing out on the gold by .03 seconds. Germany finished first in 5:55.91.