Simone and Skinner Named 2023 USRowing Under 19 Athletes of the Year

USRowing is pleased to announce that Sofia Simone (Miami, Fla./Sarasota Crew) has been named the 2023 USRowing Under 19 National Team Female Athlete of the Year, while Jack Skinner (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier Rowing) has been selected as this year's USRowing Under 19 National Team Male Athlete of the Year.

Selected by the athletes and coaches of the team that competed at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Paris, France, Simone and Skinner will be recognized during the Head of the Charles. More details to come.

A three-time Under 19 National Team member, Simone sat seven seat in the women's eight which took fourth in Paris. Simone and her crew missed the podium by a few feet. She took gold in the eight in 2021 and 2022.

"Being honored as the U19 Athlete of the Year is something I had wanted since my first summer on the national team in 2021," Simone said. "In the past few years, the winners of this award have been incredible role models for me, and I hope I can be the same for other athletes. I would like to thank my coaches, Casey Galvanek and Mike Wallin, for providing me with amazing opportunities, coaching, and advice throughout the last few years.

"Racing at the world championships is like no other experience I have ever had. Being in such an intense environment alongside some of my best friends and strongest rowers is something I will hold dearly in my heart forever."

On the men's side, Skinner received the honor after two consecutive years on the U19 national team. He competed in the four in 2022 and the eight in 2023.

"I am very honored and humbled to receive this award. I am grateful for amazing coaches who have made this possible," Skinner said. "Most importantly, my New Trier High School coaches, Nate Kelp-Lenane and Josip Stolar, as well as my national team coaches, Cary Wasserman and Erik Gehrke. I would also like to thank my family for making my rowing career possible. A special acknowledgment goes to my parents for their continued support, to my sister, Hanna, for first introducing our family to the sport of rowing, and to my brother, Peter, for his mentorship and for always inspiring me to be the best rower, teammate and competitor I can be.

"My two years on the U.S. National Team will always live with me. I could not be more thankful for my coaches for creating competitive and gritty teams and for my teammates for showing the determination to perform their best no matter the obstacles in our way. Lastly, I am excited and appreciative for the opportunity to continue my rowing career for the University of California, Berkeley, and I hope to race again for Team USA in the future."

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