Two Athletes, Four Crews Earn Spots on 2024 Beach Sprint National Team on Final Day of Trials

Two athletes and four crews earned spots on the 2024 Beach Sprint National Team on Sunday in Sarasota, Fla. The winners will represent the U.S. at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals this September in Genoa, Italy.

In the first race of the day, Danielle Hansen and Gary Rought secured their spots on this year’s roster, winning their final by nine seconds over Next Level Rowing teammates Pearl Outlaw and Luke Eward. The duo covered the course in a 2:46.9, followed by Outlaw and Eward in a 2:55.9. Hansen, a two-time Paralympian, and Rought, a 2022 Beach Sprint National Team member, will be the first inclusion PR3 mixed double sculls to represent the U.S. at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.

“It’s very special,” Hansen said of the accomplishment. “My partner, Gary, is really awesome and has a lot of experience. I’m just really proud to be able to represent the U.S., be in a boat with Gary, and do USA proud. This is a really cool opportunity, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

In the open men’s solo event, Next Level Rowing’s Christopher Bak earned a spot on his fourth Beach Sprint National Team, covering the course in a 2:33.6. Just over 22 seconds separated Bak from opponent Priit Grabbi of Occoquan Boat Club, who finished in a 2:56.2. Bak, who won gold in the event in 2022, automatically advanced to semifinals by winning Friday’s time trial. He opened the day with a 14.7-second win over teammate Eward.

“There was a tropical storm earlier in the week that definitely affected racing on Friday. Progressively over the weekend, the water got more and more flat. It was definitely fun to race in all conditions,” Bak said. “We had a clean race and, at the end of the day, I think that’s all you can ask for.”

“We’ve done a lot of training over the years,” he added. “Hopefully we’ve got four more in us till LA28.”

In the open women’s solo event, Next Level Rowing’s Christine Cavallo punched her ticket to Italy with a 5.1-second win over teammate Elizabeth Hinley. Cavallo, now an eight-time national team member across all levels, clocked an even 2:55. Hinely finished in a 3:00.1. Cavallo will also represent the U.S. in the open mixed double sculls alongside boatmate Kory Rogers.

Ransom Everglades Crew’s Nathaniel Pegg and Colton Seidel also secured tickets to Italy, clocking a 2:50.4 to win the final of the junior men’s double sculls event. The tightest final of the day, Pegg and Seidel finished just 1.9 seconds ahead of Unity Boat Club’s Caden Coleman and Isaiah Brooks. Both Pegg and Seidel are first-time Beach Sprint National Team members.

In the junior women’s double sculls event, Annalie Duncomb and Annelise Hahl defeated teammates Madilyn Donahue and Mary Bain to earn their third trip to the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals. Duncomb and Hahl, who won bronze in the event in 2022, covered the course in a 2:36.7, followed by Donahue and Bain in a 2:58.8. With only two boats entered, both crews automatically advanced to finals following time trials.  Hahl will also represent the U.S. in the junior women's solo event.

In the junior mixed double sculls, Next Level Rowing’s Britt Wotovich and Ronan Maher finished 24.8 seconds ahead of New Trier High School Rowing’s Connor and Blake Gamse. Wotovich and Maher crossed the finish line in 2:37.2 to secure their spot at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, followed by Connor and Blake in a 3:02.0. Wotovich won silver in the event in 2023 alongside then-partner Malachi Anderson. Maher, a first-time national team member, will also represent the U.S. in the junior men's solo.

“It’s always a challenge to match up with a new partner, but I’m proud that we’ve been really connected and matched well from the start,” Wotovich said. “[Going to another Beach Sprint Finals] is such an honor. I’m really looking forward to Italy.”

In addition to today’s winners, two additional scullers and two additional crews earned spots on the 2024 Beach Sprint National Team this week at South Lido Key Park. Click HERE for full results and HERE for the weekend’s photo gallery.