Thirty-Eight National Titles Crowned at the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships

After four days of racing at the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships, national champions were crowned in 38 events. Several programs enjoyed standout performances, including Los Gatos Rowing Club, which captured multiple titles in fours events, while RowAmerica Rye successfully defended its women's eight national championship for the third consecutive year.

Championship Sunday began with the men's and women's single sculls. In the men's event, Simeon John of Community Rowing, Inc. (Brighton, Mass.) improved on last year's silver medal performance to claim the national title. The women's single produced one of the closest finishes of the day, as Shay Triepel of Coastal Virginia Community Rowing (Virginia Beach, Va.) edged Avisa Rezaei of First Coast Rowing Club (Jacksonville, Fla.) by just 0.29 seconds to secure the championship.

The men's and women's pairs were both won by open water margins. Mateo Montero Johnson and Antonio Sevillano of Miami Rowing and Watersports Center claimed gold in the men's pair, while Karlie Vince and Kristina Alyakin of Inglemoor High School topped the field in the women's pair.

One of the day's most exciting races came in the men's youth coxed four. Newport Sea Base Rowing (Newport Beach, Calif.) captured the national title by just over a second, but the battle for the remaining positions created two photo finishes. Los Gatos Rowing Club (Los Gatos, Calif.) narrowly defeated Noble & Greenough School (Dedham, Mass.) for second place by 0.10 seconds, while Eugene Rowing Club (Eugene, Ore.) crossed just ahead of Belmont Hill School (Belmont, Mass.) for sixth place, also by 0.10 seconds.
 

The men's quadruple sculls featured a fierce contest among the leading crews. Malvern Prep emerged victorious, crossing the line just over a second ahead of Pocock Rowing Center. Following the race, the crew dedicated the victory to the brother of a teammate, Kevin, who passed away in the fall. The rowers carried his initials on their backs to victory. 

Los Gatos won an impressive four national titles in the women's quaruple sculls, women's 2V quadruple sculls, the men's 2v quadruple sculls and the men's four. 

The men's eight came down to a duel between Deerfield Academy and NorCal Crew over the final 500 meters. Deerfield Academy found another gear in the sprint and crossed first in 5:54.69, with NorCal finishing second in 5:56.49.

In the women's eight, RowAmerica Rye once again demonstrated why it entered the regatta as the defending champion. Chicago Rowing Foundation challenged the leaders through the middle of the course, but RowAmerica Rye steadily extended its advantage and secured a third straight national title.

Justin Herrera delivered another strong result for Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, winning the men's U17 single sculls. Herrera's victory capped an impressive regatta for the program, which placed seven crews in A Finals.

The women's U16 eight saw Greenwich Crew (Cos Cob, Conn.) produce one of the most dominant performances of the day, winning by nearly nine seconds over Marin Rowing Association (Greenbrae, Calif.). The commanding victories continued as Clare McKenna of Parati Competitive Rowing (The Woodlands, Tex.) captured the U17 women's single by seven seconds, and Litchfield Hills Rowing Club (Litchfield, Conn.) won the U17 women's double by more than eight seconds.

In the PR2 women's single, Lillian Rodriguez of Gem City Crew (Miamisburg, Ohio) earned her fourth national championship in remarkable fashion. After losing her seat midway through the race, Rodriguez quickly recovered, reassembled her equipment, and still managed to cross the finish line to secure her victory. 

The final A Final of the regatta was the mixed inclusive double sculls, where Rockland Rowing Association (Nyack, N.Y.) claimed the national championship.

The B Finals in the eights events provided some of the day's closest racing. Several crews crossed the finish line separated by less than half a second, creating finishes that were nearly impossible to distinguish in real time as a photo finish decided the men's youth eight and women's 2V eight B Finals.

A full list of national champions can be found here. Results are available here, and a photo gallery from the regatta can be viewed here.

The action continues Monday and Tuesday at Nathan Benderson Park with the 2026 USRowing U19 Trials. Athletes will compete in the men's and women's single sculls, pairs, and double sculls for the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, August 6-9.

Competition remains in Sarasota later in the week as the 2026 USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships take place Wednesday and Thursday on Lido Beach. National titles will be awarded in the men's and women's single sculls and double sculls, with live on Overnght.com. 

USRowing would like to extend its sincere thanks to the dedicated referees, volunteers, and event staff whose hard work made the 2026 Youth National Championships possible. 

Congratulations to all of the athletes, coaches, teams, and families who devoted tremendous time, effort, and passion throughout the season to earn the opportunity to compete at Youth Nationals. Whether bringing home a national championship, reaching the A final, or simply qualifying for the event, each participant played a role in making this year's championships a remarkable celebration of youth rowing.