Racing Complete at the National Selection Regatta, Para Speed Orders, and Lightweight Trials

Top U.S. rowers delivered competitive racing across multiple boat classes at the National Selection Regatta, Para Speed Orders, and Lightweight Trials, with athletes aiming to solidify their standing ahead of international competition and upcoming selection decisions. Racing featured a mix of Olympians, World Championship veterans, and rising talent, highlighting both depth and parity across the field. 

Sam Melvin won the men’s single sculls in 6:55.00, defeating Olympian Jacob Plihal, who finished second, and Cedar Cunningham in third. All three competitors raced at the 2025 World Championships. Erik Spinka, James Wright, and Evan Falstrup rounded out the A final.

In the women’s single sculls, Olympian Sophia Vitas claimed victory in 7:37.90, finishing just under four seconds ahead of Isa Darvin. Olympians Grace Joyce, Lauren O’Connor, and Kristi Wagner placed third through fifth within a tight three-second margin, while Alina Hagstrom finished sixth, just 0.48 seconds behind fifth.

Olympic bronze medalist Chris Carlson and Sam Sullivan topped the men’s pair A final in 6:31.79, crossing the line 1.35 seconds ahead of Olympic bronze medalist Peter Chatain and Gus Rodriguez. Olympic bronze medalist Pieter Quinton and Madison Molitor completed the top three.

Olympians Kate Knifton and Teal Cohen—members of the 2025 World Championship-winning four—won the women’s pair in 7:05.00. Olympians Regina Salmons and Molly Bruggeman finished second, followed by Mia Levy and Dahlia Levine.

In the lightweight time trials, Justin Schmidt won the men’s single sculls in 7:11.48, leading comfortably over Sean Christiansen, who finished in 7:17.63. In the double sculls, Jamie Copus and Sean Richardson dominated, finishing in 6:31.40. Claire Friedlander won the women’s single sculls in 7:55.79, more than 12 seconds ahead of Elizabeth Martin. The Selection Panel adjusted the required percentage of CST for the Trials events to 93.5% due to water temperature and expected racing conditions. Justin Schmidt, in the lightweight single sculls, and Jamie Copus and Sean Richardson, in the men’s double sculls, have been selected for the 2026 World Championship team. 

Para speed orders expanded this year, with increased participation across classifications. In the PR3 men’s single sculls, Mathurin Gagnon won in 8:11.82. In the PR3 women’s single sculls, Paralympic silver medalist Skylar Dahl delivered an impressive 8:11.7 performance, followed by Elizabeth Margolin and Annabelle Miller. Andrew Mangan finished the PR1 single sculls in 10:05.98. Chance Quarry and Daria Rubin raced unopposed in the PR2 single sculls.

In the men’s single sculls B final, Dylan Green won in 7:06.97, followed by three-time beach sprint solo world champion Chris Bak. Tony Madigan, last year’s U19 single sculls standout, placed third in 7:09.50.

Hannah Paynter won the women’s single sculls B final in 7:38.90. Evan Park and Savannah Brija finished in a tight photo finish for second and third, respectively.

In the men’s pair B final, Wilson Morton and Isaac Spokes defeated Olympic bronze medalist Evan Olson and Jesse Ryno in 6:42.14. Josh Diggons and Mike Herman finished third. On the women’s side, Holly Drapp and Kaitlyn Kynast won in 7:24.25, followed by Eva Frohnhofer and Olympian Margaret Hedeman.

The U.S. will compete at World Cup II and III prior to the 2026 World Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from August 24-30. Results can be found here.