Hondrogen and Wise Named 2025 USRowing Under 23 Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Cosmo Hondrogen (Alameda, Calif./Dartmouth University/Oakland Strokes) has been named the 2025 USRowing Under 23 National Team Male Athlete of the Year, while Phoebe Wise (Greenwich, Conn./University of Texas/Greenwich Crew) has been selected as this year's USRowing Under 23 National Team Female Athlete of the Year. Selected by the athletes and coaches of the team that competed at the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Poznan, Poland, Hondrogen and Wise will be recognized at the 2025 Golden Oars Gala on November 13.

Cosmo Hondrogen clinched silver in the men’s lightweight single sculls, delivering a gutsy performance. Midway through the race, he surged ahead in the third 500 meters, setting a blistering pace and daring the rest of the field to keep up. Known for his relentless determination, Hondrogen chose to train alongside the athletes at selection camp after his victory at Trials in June, constantly pushing both himself and his teammates to new limits. A member of the U19 team in 2023, he's already proven himself at the highest levels. As only a sophomore at Dartmouth, Hondrogen is definitely one to watch in the years ahead.

"I'm so honored to be named the Under 23 Male Athlete of the Year,” said Cosmo Hondrogen. “It feels incredibly special to receive this award from a group of athletes and coaches I've looked up to for years. The U23 team this year was filled with so many incredible athletes and coaches, and it was truly a privilege to be able to train with them throughout the summer in Oklahoma.”

“I owe so much to my college coach, Trevor Michelson, for his immense support and guidance, as well as my high school coach, Jovan Jovanovic, who has inspired my growth as both an athlete and a person. I also want to thank Noah Axford, who coached me through the summer as the selection camp intern and played a huge role in my development in the single. I’m deeply grateful to my family, who have supported me at every step, as well as the Dartmouth Rowing community for providing me with such a strong support system and just a group of awesome people. I am so thankful for this experience."

Phoebe Wise stroked the U23 women’s four to a hard-fought fifth place after a tense battle for a podium spot, showcasing her remarkable determination and leadership. Her ability to push her crew forward in high-stakes moments truly set her apart. Wise is a two-time national team member, having competed on the U19 team in 2022, where she earned a gold medal in the eight. She also claimed the NCAA Championship with the University of Texas in 2024, alongside a silver medal in the second varsity eight. With her drive and experience, Wise continues to establish herself as a force to be reckoned with in the rowing world.

Phoebe Wise said this about the honor, “I am so incredibly honored and grateful to be awarded U23 Female Athlete of the Year. I couldn’t have asked for more amazing teammates and coaches who pushed me to be the best version of myself every day this past summer. This was an experience of a lifetime and something I will forever look back on.” 

“I am extremely grateful for the friendships I formed this summer. It’s rare to be surrounded by such a talented group of athletes and genuinely kind individuals. I want to thank everyone who made this experience possible. Thank you, Sarah Trowbridge, and my coaches from school, Dave O’Neil, and the rest of the Texas coaching staff, for giving me the tools to make this all possible.”

The announcements for the Senior and Para Athletes of the Year will be made later this month. The Beach Sprint Athletes of the Year will be announced following the Beach Sprint Finals in November. 

USRowing would like to thank HUDSON, the Official Boat Supplier for the U.S. Under 19 and Under 23 National Team. Through the partnership, HUDSON supplies racing shells for selection and training domestically, with matched shells provided internationally for racing.