Racing Begins at the 2025 RowFest National Championships

RowFest is officially underway in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Thousands of athletes and coaches have come from all over the country to experience the community RowFest provides. The past three days have been exciting, with each day being jam-packed with competitive racing and fun events.

Saturday began with heats in the small boats for the youth, U23, and open categories. In the afternoon, the finals began with Annelise Hahl of Ready Set Row winning the women’s U23 single sculls by 13.47 seconds. There was a close race in the men’s youth single sculls with only a 0.83-second margin between Andrew Mozinski and Forrester Clark, who were both racing for Ready Set Row. Youth National Champion in the men's double sculls, Eamon Matlock, won the men’s U23 double sculls by 2.49 seconds with partner Fielding Staelin. Eva Frohnhofer won both events she was in, the women’s open double sculls with Charlotte Forman and the women’s open single sculls.

Racing continued on Sunday with heats and finals for the bigger boat classes for the youth, U23, and open categories. Conshohocken Rowing Center won the women’s U23 quadruple sculls by 10.7 seconds over Undine Barge Club of Philadelphia. RowAmerica Rye won the women’s youth coxed four by 8.11 seconds. The women’s World University Games eight won the women’s open eight by 17.79 seconds. Finally, Buffalo Rowing Club won the youth men’s eight, only 1.15 seconds ahead of Ready Set Row.

Finally, this morning, heats for the 1,000-meter races for all small boats in all age categories, including U17 races. Annelise Hahl won the women’s U23 single sculls again. Graham Matlock won the men’s youth single sculls after also winning the men's double sculls at the USRowing Youth National Championships. The strong showing from Y-Quad Cities continued with the winners in the women’s youth single sculls and men’s U17 single sculls both representing Y Quad Cities.

Racing continues tomorrow, July 14th, with big boat 1,000 meter racing and 500 meter sunset sprints in the evening, as well as the International Rowing Challenge.