Jul 26, 2026
Team USA
U.S. Wins Two Golds, One Silver on Final Day of U23 World Championships
The United States capped the 2026 World Rowing Under 23 Championships with two gold medals and one silver on the final day of racing. The Americans finished the regatta with four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, marking the nation's best-ever performance at the U23 World Championships in Olympic boat classes.
The U.S. women's eight extended its unprecedented streak to 20 consecutive podium finishes at the U23 World Championships, winning gold by open water. The men's eight battled Great Britain in a thrilling race to earn silver, while the U.S. mixed eight claimed gold in the inaugural World Championship event, edging Romania. Cillian Mullen recorded the best U.S. finish in the women's single sculls since 2022, placing eighth overall, while the lightweight men’s double sculls finished fourth, the best finish since 2015. Ela Ersan narrowly missed the podium in the lightweight women’s single sculls, while Simeon John finished seventh overall in the lightweight men’s single sculls.
"I'm incredibly proud of what this team accomplished over the past week, but even more proud of the work that went into getting here," said Brett Gorman, USRowing Head Coach of High Performance Pathways. "This success is the result of months of hard work by our athletes and an exceptional coaching staff led by Head Coach Sergio Espinoza. Sergio and his staff dedicated themselves throughout the year to identifying the best available talent, bringing those athletes together, and creating a culture built on grit, resilience, and a commitment to one another. That culture was on full display throughout the championship, as crews continued to rise to the occasion under pressure. I'd also like to recognize the many home, collegiate, and club coaches across the country whose daily work laid the foundation for these athletes to perform on the world stage. These medals belong to everyone who played a role in this journey."
Women’s Eight
The U.S. women's eight dominated the final, winning by open water to capture gold and extend its remarkable streak to 20 podium finishes in 20 U23 World Championships.
The Americans spent the opening strokes of the race neck and neck with Great Britain before quickly establishing their speed and pulling away from the field. The third 500 meters proved decisive as the U.S. cleared open water on the British crew. Syracuse University’s Olivia Bachert, Ohio State University’s Amelia Boes, Princeton University’ Joely Cherniss, Princeton University’s Lauren Dubois, University of Virginia’s Elsa Hartman, University of Texas’s Katherine Nordheim, University of Tennessee Hannah Smith, Stanford University's Quincy Stone, and University of Texas’s Amy Werner continued to build their lead through the sprint, crossing the finish line in 6:05.70, 6.36 seconds ahead of second place.
"That was such a fun race, we all had so much trust in each other, and to be able to go out and perform as we did was so special and so exciting," said Katherine Nordheim.
Men’s Eight
The U.S. men's eight battled fiercely with Great Britain throughout the race. The two crews were separated by only inches through the opening half, trading moves as each searched for an advantage.
Great Britain made the definitive push in the closing sprint to secure gold, while the Americans earned silver in 5:32.98, just 1.04 seconds behind. The crew of Harvard University’s Marcus Chung, Harvard University's Sam Gallaudet, University of California, Berkeley’s Louis Gagnon, Stanford University’s Gabriel George, University of California, Berkeley’s Michael Kain, Princeton University’s Taeden Landa, Oxford Brookes University’s Travis O'Neil, Stanford University’s Sandro Scalfi, and Princeton University’s Andrew Wilkinson turned in an outstanding race, showcasing both grit and determination.
"It was great to be able to race for Team USA today after last year it was awesome to be in the mix," said four-time national team member Andrew Wilkinson. "Today, I thought that we had a nice start and did a good job of pushing GB all the way down the course. Credit to those guys for holding off everything we threw at them. Races like that are what make this sport awesome to compete in. Thanks to Coach Sergio and Coach Trevor for making the U23 team great these last three summers."
Mixed Eight
The gold medal-winning women's four and bronze medal-winning men's four joined forces in the inaugural mixed eight event. Coxswain Michael Kain, fresh off his silver medal in the men's eight, guided the crew to an early lead within the first 500 meters.
The Americans maintained about half a boat over Romania for much of the race. Romania mounted one final charge in the sprint, but the U.S. responded to hold off the challenge and secured gold in 5:52.47.
The victory made the United States the first-ever world champion in the mixed eight. Stanford University's Annika Jeffery, Stanford University's Claire Van Praagh, University of California, Berkeley's Ella Wheeler, and University of Texas’s Phoebe Wise earned their second world titles in as many days, while Princeton University’s Kian Aminian, Harvard University Jordan Dykema, Gonzaga University Tobias Finn, University of California, Berkeley’s Michael Kain, and Yale University’s Timothy Parsons captured their first U23 world championship titles.
Women’s Single Sculls
University of Washington’s Cillian Mullen finished second in the B Final of the women's single sculls.
Mullen settled into third over the opening 500 meters before engaging in a close battle with Australia's Sarah Bourke through the middle of the race. With only inches separating the two boats, he made a decisive move in the sprint to pull away from Australia and cross the line in 7:38.37.
The result gave Mullen an eighth-place overall finish, the best U.S. performance in the event since 2022 and Mullen's best finish at the U23 World Championships.
Lightweight Women's Single Sculls
Boston University’s Ela Ersan narrowly missed the podium in the lightweight women’s single sculls after a thrilling sprint to the finish. Ersan opened the race in fifth place before moving into fourth during the second 500 meters, battling closely with Peru for the final podium position. The American surged in the closing stretch, crossing the line just 0.26 seconds behind third place in a time of 7:48.47. Her fourth-place finish marks the best U.S. result in the event since 2019.
Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls
Yale University's Ryan Natterson and Fielding Staelin finished fourth in the men's lightweight double sculls.
The Americans sat sixth early before moving into fourth during the second 500 meters. They held off Italy through the closing sprint to finish in 6:36.58, the best U.S. finish in the event since 2015.
Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls
Future Dartmouth College lightweight Simeon John showcased his maturity in the B Final of the men's lightweight single sculls.
The field remained tightly packed through the opening 500 meters, with only inches separating much of the field. John stayed within striking distance before making his move in the third 500 meters, overtaking Tunisia to take the lead. He continued to build his advantage and crossed the finish line with open water in 7:12.08.
John concluded an exceptional season with a seventh-place overall finish at the U23 World Championships. Earlier this year, he won the 2026 Youth National Championships and the 2026 Youth Beach Sprint National Championships in the men's single sculls.
Next up for the U.S. is the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships, August 6-9 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The senior national team will compete at the 2026 World Rowing Championships, August 24-30 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Beach Sprint National Team will hold trials August 7-9 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, before competing at the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, October 18-21 in Qingdao, China.
USRowing would like to thank and acknowledge key partners HUDSON, the Official Boat Supplier for the U.S. Under 19 and Under 23 National Team. Through the partnership, HUDSON supplies racing shells for selection and training domestically, with matched shells provided internationally for racing.
