Ten Athletes Named to 2025 U.S. Beach Sprint National Team Following Record-Breaking Trials

10 athletes secured their spots on the 2025 U.S. Beach Sprint National Team following an action-packed weekend of racing at the Beach Sprint National Team Trials, held  in Sarasota, Florida from June 20-22. The winners will represent the U.S. at the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals later this year.

This year’s trials marked the largest in U.S. Beach Sprint history, with over 56 entries representing 10 clubs nationwide. The competitive field featured a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, including reigning World Champion Chris Bak, U19 World Champion Annelise Hahl, and several senior national team members making their beach sprint debuts, among them Audrey Boersen, Olympian Sophia Vitas and Olympic bronze medalist Peter Chatain.

In the U19 men’s solo event, Next Level Rowing’s Ronan Maher continued his dominant form. Fresh off his win at the 2025 Youth Beach Sprint National Championships earlier in the week, Maher used his experience to pull away from teammate Leland Angel, finishing 23.8 seconds ahead. Maher, who also represented the U.S. at the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, successfully defended his spot on this year’s national team.

The U19 women’s solo final saw another repeat champion after the Youth Beach Sprint National Championships. Ophelia Weiss of Next Level Rowing secured her second victory of the week, crossing the line eight seconds ahead of runner-up Mary Bain. After multiple strong showings at previous trials, Weiss earns her first trip to the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.

In the open men’s solo, three-time World Champion Chris Bak once again demonstrated why he’s the most decorated U.S. coastal rower. The Next Level Rowing standout covered the course in 2:42.3, finishing nearly 20 seconds ahead of teammate Kory Rogers. This will be Bak’s fifth consecutive Beach Sprint National Team appearance.

In the open women’s solo, Next Level Rowing’s Christine Cavallo delivered a standout performance against a highly competitive field. Facing off against Olympian Sophia Vitas, Cavallo surged ahead to win by 9.5 seconds in a time of 2:40.4. The victory secures Cavallo’s tenth U.S. national team berth across all teams. 

Next Level Rowing also found success in the U19 men’s double sculls, with Sai Anish Maheshwaram and Leland Angel holding off Ronan Maher and Austin Coleman by exactly three seconds to claim their spot on the national team.

The mixed double sculls final provided the closest race of the day. The team of Sera Busse and Chris Bak went head-to-head with Olympians Sophia Vitas and Peter Chatain in a tight battle down the course. Busse and Bak held their lead to the line, edging out the Olympians by just two seconds.

Several additional crews won their bids unopposed. Weiss and Bain, the bronze medalists at the Youth Beach Sprint National Championships, paired up in the U19 women’s double sculls, while Weiss and Maher joined forces to secure the U19 mixed double sculls bid. In the PR3 mixed double sculls, Amy Pietrafitta and Philip Hoyle earned their place on the team.

With an impressive blend of experienced champions and emerging talent, the U.S. will now turn its attention to preparing for the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.

Click HERE for full results and HERE for the weekend’s photo gallery.