U19 Trials Wrap Up in Sarasota on June 17

The USRowing U19 Trials showcased an impressive 54 entries competing for places on the 2025 U19 National Team, with several events coming down to close photo finishes. Held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, athletes raced under fair morning conditions, though a slight crosswind prompted the Competitive Standards Time (CST) Committee to adjust the qualifying threshold to 94.5%. This modification ensured continued fairness while accounting for the variable conditions. To earn a spot in August at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, crews needed both a win and to meet the adjusted CST.

Potomac Boat Club’s Tony Madigan continued his winning streak, adding another victory in the men’s single sculls. Much like his 2025 Youth National Championships performance, Madigan pulled away in the second 500 meters to cross the line more than seven seconds ahead of Community Rowing Inc.’s Simeon John, finishing in 7:09.75. His time was 96.02% of the competitive standard time, exceeding the requirements and earning a berth to Trakai. 

“It feels great to qualify for the U19 World Championships, I had a great piece just now, and I’m super excited to represent my country in Lithuania,” said Tony Madigan. 

While the men’s single sculls was the only boat to achieve the needed CST to qualify for the U19 World Rowing Championships, the morning saw several competitive races that battled down the course.

In one of the day’s most exciting races, the women’s single sculls saw four boats enter the final 500 meters nearly even. New York AC’s Teagan Farley surged ahead with a powerful sprint, opening a decisive five-second gap to secure the win over RowAmerica Greenwich’s Clare Junius, who earned bronze at Youth Nationals. Farley previously raced at the 2024 U19 World Championships in the women’s quadruple sculls. 

The men’s double sculls produced one of the day's closest finishes. Oak Neck Rowing Academy’s crew edged out College Club Seattle by just 0.44 seconds, winning in 6:46.66 after a furious sprint to the line. Oak Neck’s Robert Dring finished fourth in the men’s single at Youth Nationals on Sunday. 

The women’s double sculls saw a commanding performance from Los Gatos Rowing Club. Leading from the start, Los Gatos finished with open water over Waterford, clocking a winning time of 7:30.55. Los Gatos’ Harriet Cheetham and Emerson Adams were gold medalists in the women’s quadruple sculls at nationals.

PNRA/Mercer’s men’s pair delivered a strong sprint to win over Row New Jersey in the final 250 meters, crossing the line in a time of 6:53.00. Charles Huckel and Vrishank Nalla competed in PNRA/Mercer’s men’s eight, finishing in fifth place at Youth Nationals.

The day closed with a photo finish in the women’s pair, where Atomic Rowing edged out Row New Jersey by just 0.64 seconds. Maci Brede, who raced to a fourth-place finish in the women’s four at Youth Nationals, secured the victory with her pair partner, Vivienne Pope.

"We're really pleased to see so many entries at this year's U19 Trials,” said Brett Gorman, Director of High-Performance Pathways. “The U19 World Rowing Championships is a significant step up in speed, and it's great to see so many athletes take on the challenge of competing in a small boat and go for it on the race course."

Click here for complete results.

USRowing also would like to thank 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.