It's been quite a summer for Samantha Potter and Abi Palmer.

Both girls, who will be juniors at Seneca Valley High, helped the Three Rivers junior girls rowing program reach new heights.

Potter, a coxswain, and Palmer, a middle rower, were part of the Three Rivers 8-plus team that placed third at the Midwest Junior Championships, which were held in Cincinnati in May.

The event included teams from 11 states and the third-place finish sent Potter, Palmer and their teammates to the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships, also held in the Queen City in June.

"Our whole goal was to get third place — that's what we were shooting for," said Potter, who has the responsibility of steering the boat while providing motivation and direction to the rowers. "When we crossed the finish line, we were so happy."

"For a moment, it was like, 'What just happened?'" said Palmer. "We were in a state of shock. We always wondered what it would be like to make the national championships. It didn't seem real."

Teams from 30 states competed at nationals, where the Three Rivers team placed 19th.

"We didn't do too well," said Potter, who lives in Cranberry Township. "But it was a great experience."

"I was not intimidated at all," said Palmer of the national event. "We earned the right to be there. I was ready to go."

For Palmer, a resident of Zelienople who has been involved in the sport for four years, she has been rewarded for all the hours spent in practice and competition.

"The thing I've enjoyed most is my teammates," she said. "We spend so much time together, we're literally like family. The bond we have with each other is so strong."

After the national event, Potter had even more rowing to do, albeit with different girls.

In March, she tried out for the U.S. Rowing Junior National Development Camp in Washington, D.C.

It was the second time she attempted to make the cut. Last year, she was denied.

But in May, she was informed she had been chosen as one of two coxswains in her division.

The three-week long camp was held in Connecticut and concluded last month.

"Our schedule was basically: eat, sleep and row," said Potter. "It was kind of different, being apart from my (Three Rivers) teammates, but this camp has produced Olympic Team members in the past. That is my ultimate goal: to compete in the Olympics."