Kearney, who competed in the coxless four at the world junior championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, last year was Otago's standout rower at last week's New Zealand championships at Lake Ruataniwha.
She won three gold medals in her age grade and a bronze medal in the premier coxless four.
She is a strong candidate to be named in the New Zealand team that will compete at the world under-23 championships at Linz, Austria later this year.
Experienced internationals Hamish Bond (North End), Fergus Fauvel (Otago University) and Fiona Bourke (Otago University) will be contenders for the heavyweight events. Lucy Strack (North End) will be the top candidate for a spot in a lightweight crew after winning two gold medals at Lake Ruataniwha last week.
These elite rowers will compete in the first World Cup at Sydney at the end of March. Winter members from the Otago University Rowing Club were also selected for the trial. Mark O'Connor (summer club Waihopai) has trained at the Southern RPC in Christchurch this season and is eligible for the under-23 team. Sarah Lindley (Avon) represented New Zealand Universities at the World University Championships in Kazan, Russia, last year. She has a chance to make the elite team. The trials will be held at Lake Karapiro from March 1-7.
