Head of Oklahoma regatta: U.S. gold medalists lived up to expectations

The former Harvard rowers and Olympic gold medalists were in Oklahoma City on Saturday and Sunday to sign autographs at the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta.

Davies was a member of the last three U.S. women's eight crews. She won a silver medal with the boat in the 2004 Olympic Games and struck gold in 2008.

In 2012, the Ithaca, N.Y., native admitted feeling pressure to win in London.

“The U.S. women's eight hadn't lost a major regatta since 2006,” she said. “You start to feel the pressure. I'm told the bookies were offering, not great odds on us, but if you were to bet on us you wouldn't get a lot of money in return.

“In 2008, we were the underdogs. In 2012, we had to live up to expectations, and we were able to do that, which I am proud of.”

For Lofgren, a native of Long Beach, Calif., crossing the finish line in first place in London was a more joyous moment.

“I was one of the last women to get cut from the 2008 boat, so I have been working at this for seven years,” she said.