Several local paddlers secured positions with the Dragon Boat USA National Team this past weekend at the Lake Lanier Olympic Center.

Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club members Anna Crawford, Chayphet (La) Phonthibsvads, Ethan Jackson, Rich Stewart and Tanner Easterday all made the national team, and will join three other LCKC members who secured a spot on the team in April: Alejandro Schwedhelm, Sheaffer Sorrells and Jim O’Dell.

In addition, Natalie Kean was voted onto the team Tuesday night at the coach’s meeting and Graham Roper has been invited to Philadelphia to participate in the team’s camp and attempt to earn a spot on the roster.

The Dragon Boat USA National Team will compete at the International Canoe Federation World Championships on August 27-29 in Szeged, Hungary. The 2010 IFC World Championships are planning to race both 10 and 20-person boat divisions in men’s, women’s, mixed junior, senior and master’s classes at distances of 200, 500 and 2,000 meters.

Commitments to the trip are pending for the newest members.