Bak and Hummel Named 2022 USRowing Beach Sprint National Team Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Christopher Bak (Cincinnati, Ohio/University of Cincinnati/Next Level Rowing/Cincinnati Rowing Club/Great Miami Rowing Club) and Morgan Hummel (Chesterfield, Mo./The Ohio State University/Next Level Rowing) have been named USRowing's 2022 Beach Sprint National Team Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively.

Selected by the athletes and coaches of the beach sprint national team that competed at the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Saundersfoot, Great Britain, Bak and Hummel will be recognized during the 2022 Golden Oars Celebration, which will be held Wednesday, November 2, at Tribeca 360 in New York City.

A two-time Beach Sprint National Team member, Bak brought home two medals from Wales, winning gold in the men's solo event and bronze in the mixed quadruple sculls with coxswain.

"I am in disbelief, and I am truly honored to have won the (beach sprint) male athlete of the year award," Bak said. "I want to thank my teammates, who I know were the ones who voted on this. Honestly, every person on the team deserves this award. They are all such incredible and inspirational people. I am proud to have had the opportunity to represent the U.S. overseas this year, and I hope to continue to do so in the future. That said, without the support and kindness of the team, this would not have been possible. Thank you so much 'Super Team.' Let's shoot for the moon!"

After missing a buoy and getting knocked out of the men's solo event in the round of 16 at last year's World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, Bak was on a mission to reach the medal stand in 2022, and his focus paid off with a dominant performance in Wales. In the men's solo knock-out rounds, Bak won every race by at least eight seconds, knocking off the defending world champion, Italy's Giovanni Ficarra, in the process. In the final, Bak rowed away from Tunisia's Mohamed Taieb over the back half of the race to win the gold. Bak also rowed in the mixed quadruple sculls event the previous day, winning a bronze medal over France.

"This is the most successful season I have had in my rowing career," Bak said. "It all started when I decided to step away from my job and join my coach, Marc Oria, on a trip to Peru for the COPA America Cup where we were able to win gold, silver, and bronze in multiple events. After facing some adversity after last year's world championships, that was the race I needed to spark confidence going into the 2022 season. We were able to have success at the U.S. trials, which led to the opportunity to race for two world championship medals. After winning bronze in the mixed quad with Peter Choi, Kory Rogers, Morgan Hummel, and Jeni Sorli, I knew that anything was possible, and I was able to go into the solo event with a clear mind and confidence to earn the U.S. its first gold medal in coastal rowing. After reflecting on the experience, I would leave you with one of my favorite quotes, 'Sin prisa pero con alma' (slowly but with soul). This season taught me that sometimes things can be a process and they can come slowly, but if you pour your soul into them, then your dreams will come true."

A national team rookie, Hummel sat in three-seat of the mixed quadruple sculls with coxswain, winning the bronze medal with Choi, Rogers, Sorli, and Bak.

"I feel honored to have the support from my 'Super' teammates and coaches," Hummel said. "Everyone on our team deserves this award because each person is amazing in their own right on and off the water. Knowing that my teammates and coaches are the ones who voted on this award makes it that much more special, and I want to thank them for all of their love and support. I also wanted to give a special thank you to 'Super Coach' Marc Oria and my family for believing in me; it truly means a lot to have your support."

Hummel and her boatmates opened the knockout round with an easy victory in the quarterfinals, finishing nearly nine seconds ahead of Egypt. In the semifinals, the defending world champions from Spain bested the U.S. to advance to the final. However, the U.S. came back in the bronze-medal race to knock out France by 3.6 seconds.

"The experience was life-changing," said Hummel. "The sport of beach sprints is truly chaotic, but in the best way. It really is like a wild dance/fight with the ocean, depending on whether you are able to move with or against the waves, and I absolutely love it. What really made my experience special were the people. The super team of Next Level Rowing includes some of the best people who I am honored to call my teammates and friends. We have the privilege of being coached by some of the best people, Marc Oria and Ben Booth. Having those two coaches believe in us the way they did created such a special team atmosphere to be a part of. These people changed my life in a way that I will be forever grateful. We are all hungry to continue to get better, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the USA in costal rowing. Go Super Team!"

USRowing previously announced the 2002 Under 23 National Team Athletes of the Year, 2022 Under 19 National Team Athletes of the Year, and 2022 National Team Athletes of the Year.