POZNAN, Poland — UC San Diego's Annica Ford and the rest of the United States women's eight crew took home the silver medal on Sunday at the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships. The competition was held on Lake Malta in Poznan, Poland.

The U.S. finished the 2,000-meter course in 6:16.28. Great Britain won the six-boat final with a time of 6:13.60, while Canada claimed bronze with a time of 6:19.37.

On Thursday, Ford and the rest of the American crew earned their spot in Sunday's final by winning their heat, besting four other boats in the process. The U.S. finished that race in 6:06.53, nearly five seconds clear of the next-closest nation.

Ford is a native of Petaluma, California. She recently graduated from UC San Diego with a bachelor's degree in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and a minor in biology. Ford plans to work in neurological occupational therapy or neuroscience research.

During her recent senior season, Ford and the rest of the Tritons' varsity eight crew won the Cal Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic. She was an All-American Honorable Mention at the conclusion of her junior season. Ford has also earned numerous academic awards throughout her career as a Triton.

"It's amazing to see how this group has come together," said USRowing Head Coach Sarah Trowbridge. "I think that's what's shown through is that these athletes have taken strides to come together and be stronger as one, and they have really committed to taking those steps forward, and that commitment got them such a strong finish today. They embodied the Olympic spirit we aim to develop for the national team. I am very proud of them and impressed by the grittiness of the group and the love that they've displayed for each other and the sport."

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 93 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.