Jimmy Sopko and Matt Muffelman, two alumni from the Mathews High School and Mobjack Rowing Association crews, are headed back to rowing’s world championships.

The pair was selected to represent the United States as part of U.S. Rowing’s lightweight eight crew. Over the weekend, they qualified for the world championships by finishing a 2,000-meter time trial race in New Jersey in 5:57.8.

The world championships will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 7 in Karapiro, New Zealand.

This will be Sopko’s second and Muffelman’s fifth time at the world championships. Last year, they earned a silver medal for the U.S. in this event in Poznan, Poland, and this year they’re looking for gold.

Sopko and Muffelman learned to row while attending Mathews High School, competing together for several years as teammates on the Blue Devil and the Mobjack Rowing Association crews. Sopko graduated in 2000, Muffelman in 1999.

Sopko attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he ...