Road to the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships Continues

The journey to the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships picks up speed this weekend, with four more regional qualifiers taking place across the country. The 2025 USRowing Youth Series got underway last weekend with two qualification events. Attention now turns to top contenders like RowAmerica Rye, whose sweep boats dominated last year's nationals, claiming gold in both the men’s and women’s eights, silver in the men’s second varsity eight and women’s four, and going one-two in the women’s second varsity eight.

Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships

Set for May 10–11 at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J., the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships will see over 2,000 athletes competing in 550 boats across 55 events. Cooper Junior Rowing Club leads the pack with 29 entries. The men’s youth four with coxswain is the most competitive event with 28 entries, closely followed by the men’s youth double sculls with 27.

Returning strong, Nereid Boat Club is back in the fours after earning silver in both the women’s and men’s four with coxswain at the 2024 nationals. Whitemarsh, runners-up in last year’s men’s quadruple sculls, are aiming higher. PNRA had strong team performances last year, finishing fifth in the men’s eight and 15th in the women’s eight.

Southeast Youth Championships

Nearly 1,500 athletes representing 55 clubs will take to the water May 10–11 at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Fla., for the Southeast Youth Championships. A total of 529 boats will race in 42 events. Sarasota Crew leads with 56 entries, followed by Orlando Area Rowing (36) and St. Andrew’s (29). The women’s youth double sculls tops the event chart with 34 crews entered.

St. Andrew’s returns to defend its title in the women’s four with coxswain. First Coast, third in last year’s men’s pair, will look to rechallenge 2024 winners Canisius. Triangle Rowing Club enters a new chapter in the women’s single sculls after graduating Annelise Hahl, two-time Beach Sprints World Champion and last year's single sculls winner. Belen Jesuit Crew took gold last year in the men's U17 quadruple sculls. 

New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships

Held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on May 10–11, the 2025 New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships will feature over 630 boats from 66 teams. RowAmerica Rye tops the entry list with 46 boats, followed by Oak Neck Rowing Club with 27. The men’s varsity four with coxswain has the most entries, with 37 crews.

Canisius High School returns with strong expectations after sweeping gold and silver in the men’s pair and earning bronze in the men’s four last year. Oak Neck, home to the 2024 silver medalist in the men’s single, enters three boats this year, hoping to repeat or surpass that success. Will a new sculler step up to match Henry Davison’s legacy?

Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships

On May 10–11 at Kent Lake in Milford, Michigan, the 2025 Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships will host nearly 600 boats from 48 programs. Northville Rowing Club leads with 28 entries. Novice events dominate the schedule, with 27 entries. Expect strong performances from New Trier High School, a consistent national top-16 finisher in both men’s and women’s varsity eights.

Looking Ahead to Nationals

The 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships will be held June 12–15 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. Athletes qualify through one of 11 regional regattas throughout May. 

Nathan Benderson Park, in partnership with Visit Sarasota County and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, continues to be a premier rowing venue, having recently hosted the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2024 Youth National Championships.

All races from the 2025 Youth Series and National Championships will be streamed live on Overnght.