Madigan and Van Praagh Named 2025 USRowing Under 19 Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Tony Madigan (Arlington, Va./Potomac Boat Club) has been named the 2025 USRowing Under 19 National Team Male Athlete of the Year, while Claire Van Praagh (Rye, N.Y./RowAmericaRye/Stanford University) has been selected as this year's USRowing Under 19 National Team Female Athlete of the Year. Selected by the athletes and coaches of the team that competed at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Lithuania, Madigan and Van Praagh will be recognized at the 2025 Golden Oars Gala on November 13.

Claire Van Praagh is a two-time U19 national team member whose expertise and leadership helped power her crew to victory in the women’s four. She has had an exceptional year, starting with a win in the women’s eight at USRowing’s Youth National Championships with RowAmerica Rye, her second consecutive title in the event. Over the summer, Van Praagh stroked the U19 women’s four to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Great Britain, capturing gold in a dramatic sprint to the finish. Last year, she was part of the U19 eight that claimed gold by open water at the 2024 World Championships. Van Praagh is now a freshman at Stanford University.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected as the Under 19 Female Athlete of the Year,” said Claire Van Praagh. “This recognition reflects the support and hard work of so many people around me. It has been a privilege to spend my last two summers with the U19 National Team and train alongside such dedicated athletes. To my teammates in the 2025 four and 2024 eight, and our coach, Caitlin McClain, thank you for your unwavering positive attitude and determination.”

“My experience at RowAmerica Rye shaped me not only as an athlete but also as a person. Marko Serafimovski, Filip Topalovic, Ivan Ostojic, Matt Ward, Rachel Gabbay, and my RAR teammates, thank you for your support and camaraderie. I will carry the lessons I’ve learned from you for a lifetime. To my parents, sister, and everyone at USRowing, thank you for making this possible. Go USA!”

Tony Madigan had a spectacular debut on the U19 national team, finishing fifth in the men’s single sculls at the 2025 World Championships. Earlier this year, Madigan dominated the men’s single sculls field, winning both the Youth National Championships and the U19 Trials by open water. It’s been an impressive rise for the Potomac Boat Club senior.

Madigan said this about the honor, “While I love to compete and push myself to the limits, rowing has always been about community to me, from my teammates and village at the boathouse, my dad and Jamie Whalen as my coaches to my teammates on the National Team and my family. This award is special not only for the amount of time and hard work that has been sacrificed to get me to this point but also because it represents something much bigger to me, my community." 

“I am truly honored to be selected as the U19 Athlete of the Year. It’s been an incredible journey to the National Team and the World Championships this summer, and along the way I’ve been reminded of the many amazing people who have shaped and supported me."

"To my teammates at Potomac, thank you for pushing me to show up, work hard, and get better every single day. To my teammates on the 2025 United States U19 National Team, thank you for embracing me and welcoming me into the team you built over the summer."

"To my father and coach, your guidance throughout my life has shaped me into both the athlete and person I am today. To Coach Jamie Whalen, your ability to make every practice meaningful made this summer unforgettable."

"To my “village,” thank you for surrounding me with encouragement and support, your community has meant the world to me. And to my mom and my brothers, Joey and Peter, thank you for the love and impact you’ve had on my life and for keeping me humble."

"This recognition is as much yours as it is mine."

The announcements for the Senior, U23, and Para Athletes of the Year will be in October. 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.