2023 USRowing Youth National Championships Underway at Nathan Benderson Park

Racing got underway with time trials in 36 events on Thursday at the 2023 USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla.

Presented by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., this year's event is the largest ever with 835 entries from 225 clubs across the country bringing in just over 4,000 athletes.

In one of the closest races of the day, Rowing Club of the Woodlands' Devan Godfrey edged out Oak Neck Academy's Henry Davison to win the time trial in the men's youth single sculls. Godfrey, the defending champion in the event, covered the course in a 6:54.89, finishing one second ahead of Davison's 6:55.88. Oak Neck's Matthew Simmons finished third in a 6:58.37.

In the women's youth single sculls, Oak Neck's Catherine Barry bested Triangle Rowing Club's Annelise Hahl to earn the top seed in tomorrow's semifinals. Barry, who raced at the 2022 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in the women's double sculls, finished second in the single at last year's youth nationals. Hahl, who won a bronze medal in the U19 double sculls at the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, won the under 17 single sculls at last year's youth national championships. Barry won today's time trial in a 7:28.72, with Hahl finishing in a 7:41.69.

Less than one second separated Sarasota Crew and RowAmerica Rye in the men's under 17 eight. Sarasota Crew clocked a 5:57.12 to finish 0.9 seconds ahead of RowAmerica Rye's 5:58.03. Less than two seconds separated the top two finishers in the men's youth quadruple sculls, with Los Gatos Rowing Club winning the time trial in a 5:50.31. Maritime Rowing Club finished second in a 5:52.00.

In the men's youth eight, RowAmerica Rye posted the best time, finishing in a 5:32.98. Marin Rowing Association finished second in a 5:34.49, with Oakland Strokes finishing third in a 5:35.88. Marin's women took the top spot in the women's youth eight, crossing the line in a 6:11.65. Greenwich Crew finished second in a 6:12.97, with RowAmerica Rye taking third in a 6:14.65.

Click here for today's complete results.

Racing continues Friday with semifinals in all boat classes. Saturday will feature the B finals in the U17, U16, and U15 boat classes, as well as the C and D finals. Sunday's racing will feature the A finals (medal races) for all boat classes and the B finals for the youth boat classes. Click here for a complete schedule and here for the heat sheet.

The event will be streamed live on USRowing's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usrowingorg.

And join us Friday at Noon as youth nationals' announcer and Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Shoop hosts a live interview with Dick Vitale, the legendary ESPN broadcaster and Sarasota resident, and Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and a proud rowing father.

The interview will open with a tribute to David Wyant, longtime announcer for the USRowing Youth National Championships and all the rowing events at Nathan Benderson Park, who recently passed away. Dick will talk about the value of announcing to the sport and the value of the venue to the community. Mark will discuss the value of the venue to the sport of rowing, while Lindsay will reflect on what David meant to her and the sport. Don't miss this special presentation.

Located in Sarasota, Fla., Nathan Benderson Park is a unique 600-acre community park that includes North America's premier 2,000-meter sprint rowing course and a regatta center. It previously hosted youth nationals in 2019, 2021, and 2022.

Click here for complete coverage of the 2023 USRowing Youth National Championships.

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