The United States started strongly on the opening day of the rowing competition at the Pan American Games, finishing with two silver medals.

Megan Smith and Meg George finished just behind the Argentine duo of Maria Best and Maria Abalo, who won in a 7:24.57.

“Going into the final, Megan and I knew we had a lot of hard work ahead of us,” said George. “Argentina and Canada are smart racers and we expect[ed] to have to fight for every inch.”

"It was a push right from the beginning," said Smith. "We went out wanting to get ahead, and stay there. We were able to maintain that for quite a while and went at it as hard as we could. It was the best race we could have rowed today."

The women’s double sculls crew of Catherine Reddick and Megan Walsh also won silver for the U.S., crossing the line just after Cuba.

"I think our race was really solid," said Walsh. "It's been our most solid 2k, all out, put together performance. I think it was a good way to end. We just put our heads down and went for it."

The men’s team of Andrew Quinn and Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg finished fourth in the final of the men’s double sculls.

Olympic rower Jason Read was selected as the flag bearer for Team USA for the opening ceremony for the Pan Am Games, set to begin Friday in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"I've been fortunate as an athlete to achieve a great deal, but this is something entirely different," Read said in a statement released by the USOC on Wednesday. "To lead our team into the stadium, carrying the flag of the United States of America, is humbling, to say the least. I'm thrilled by this honor and grateful to my teammates for selecting me."

Teresa Edwards, a five-time Olympian in basketball, will also be one of eight athletes to carry the Pan American Sports Organization flag into the opening ceremony.