Nicole Ritchie rows at the U.S. Pan Am Games trials on May 20, 2015, in West Windsor, N.J. Ritchie won a silver medal for the U.S. in the Pan Am Games on July 13, 2015 in St. Catharines, Ontario. (Row2k)

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario -- Bates alumna Nicole Ritchie '09 made a splash in her first international competition as a member of Team USA on Monday, teaming with Lindsay Meyer to claim the silver medal in women's double sculls at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Rowing website row2k.com called the performance by Ritchie and Meyer as "stunning." The Americans were edged by Canadian gold medalists Kerry Shaffer and Antje Von Seyditz by 1.64 seconds, finishing the finals in 7:14.65. 

According to teamusa.org, Meyer and Ritchie "surrendered a late lead in the final leg when Shaffer and Von Seydlitz charged to a remarkable 1:35.50 finish over the last 500 meters." Said Ritchie, "It was such tight racing, which is the most exciting part of this sport."

Ritchie and Meyer will also compete in women's quadruple sculls on Wednesday, the final day of Pan Am rowing competitions. Ritchie was a three-time First Team All-American on the Bates College women's rowing team.

Team USA: "Team USA Women Capture Gold And Silver On First Day Of Rowing Finals" 

Row2k: "First Medals of Pan Am Games Awarded, U.S. Crews Win Gold and Silver" 

Bates Athletics: "Nicole Ritchie '09 to row for U.S. at Pan Am Games in July"