U.S. Set to Race at 2025 Under 19 World Rowing Championships in Lithuania

The U.S. Under 19 national team will compete at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships on Lake Galvė in Trakai, Lithuania. The squad brings a strong mix of returning athletes and first-time team members, aiming for strong performances against international competition.

Racing kicks off Wednesday, August 6, with practice sessions, the spares races, and the opening heat of the men’s single sculls. Thursday continues with heats in several events, including the men’s and women’s fours, quadruple sculls, and eights. Friday will feature the first set of C and D Finals, as well as a quarterfinal round in the men’s single sculls. Semifinal action heats up on Saturday, highlighted by the men’s single sculls, men’s and women’s fours, and quadruple sculls. The regatta culminates on Sunday with B Finals in the morning and the much-anticipated A Finals crowning world champions across all events.

The U.S. arrives with a 41-athlete roster hailing from 15 states. Of these, 29 rowers are making their national team debuts, while 12 returnees bring valuable experience from the 2024 championships in St. Catharines, Canada, where the U.S. earned four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze.

This year, the American contingent will compete in seven events: the men’s and women’s fours, quadruple sculls, eights, and the men’s single sculls. Selection for the team prioritized matching athletes with boats that highlight their individual strengths and technical skill, with a focus on cohesion and efficiency.

The women’s four is among the most experienced crews, featuring four athletes with previous international racing experience. The boat is stroked by two-time national champion Claire Van Praagh of RowAmerica Rye. She is joined by Lia Nathan and Lauren Dubois, both part of last year’s gold medal-winning U.S. women’s eight, and Teagan Farley, who placed ninth in the 2024 women’s quadruple sculls.

In the women’s quadruple sculls, Claire Sopko returns to the U19 lineup and is joined by Mira Meek, Clare Junius, who won bronze at the 2025 Youth National Championships, and Emma Kirk, who placed fourth in the women’s youth single sculls at the same event. In the women’s eight, four athletes, Avery Harries-Jones, Katie Dahl, Alexis Gormley, and Eden Alfi, return from the 2024 U19 World Championships bronze medal-winning crew in the women’s four with coxswain.

On the men’s side, the four include George Dolce, who placed seventh in the pair at last year’s U19 world championships, and Nolan Hamm, the 2025 Youth National Champion in the men’s quadruple sculls. In the men’s quadruple sculls, George Kapp and Donovan Moses reunite in the men’s quadruple sculls after finishing 14th together in the 2024 men’s double, joining Alexander Auth and Andrew Vizecky. 

The men’s eight features all-new talent to the international stage but boasts strong results from the Youth National Championships. The lineup includes Newport Aquatic Center’s Augie Freijo, the 2025 men’s pair winner; RowAmerica Rye’s Isaac Rabinowitz, who won the 2025 men’s eight; Pocock’s Ben Ewer, 2025 champion in the men’s four with coxswain; and Canisius High School’s Isaiah Aljuwani and Liam Feeney, 2024 winners of the men’s pair.

Making his debut in the men’s single sculls is Tony Madigan, who won the 2025 U19 Time Trial and captured the national title at the Youth National Championships. He is coached by his father, Matt Madigan, a former national team rower and two-time Olympic coach.

With seasoned returners and promising newcomers, the U.S. enters the regatta with depth, determination, and a strong tradition of excellence. All eyes now turn to Trakai as the next generation of American rowers take their shot at the world stage.

All races can be tracked live, and video streaming will be available on Overnght. A detailed racing schedule can be found here (all times are in Eastern European Time).