U19 Women’s Four Wins Heat, Four Crews Advance

The second day of racing in Lithuania saw six U.S. crews racing, with the women’s four winning their opening heat. The women’s quadruple sculls and the men’s and women’s four advance to the Semifinals, with the women’s eight securing their lane for the final on Sunday.

The U.S. women’s four, composed of Claire Van Praagh, Lauren Dubois, Lia Nathan, and Teagan Farley, delivered a commanding performance in their opening heat. The returning national team members took an early lead in the first 500 meters and continued to build their margin through the middle thousand. Clocking a time of 6:51.21, the Americans posted the fastest time of the day, finishing ahead of Romania and securing a spot in the semifinals on Saturday.

"The women's four had a great first race and are excited for the Semifinals on Saturday," said Caitlin McClain, women's head coach. "I’m really proud of the way each of them has owned and grown into their roles in the boat while also trusting each other. They’ve been working on it since the boat came together, and it’s been fun to see the dynamic coalesce in the high-pressure environment that is the World Championships."

In the men’s four, John Piersma, Nolan Hamm, Will Heaton, and George Dolce settled into the first 500 meters in third place. They stayed within striking distance of the crew in second, Italy, but were unable to close the gap in the closing 500 meters. Great Britain won the heat while the U.S. crossed the line in a time of 6:22.54. They advance to the Semifinals on Saturday. 

The women’s eight has their preliminary race for lanes. The opening race proved to be a tight field with only .78 seconds separating first and third, and less than five seconds separating the entire field. Great Britain dominated the opening part of the race while the U.S. worked to find their footing. It was the final 500 meters that the U.S. crew stroked by Stefania McMasters locked in, sprinting from fifth place to second in the final strokes of the race, narrowly missing out on first by .38 seconds. They race in the final on Sunday, expect a battle for the podium from start to finish.

The U.S. women’s quadruple sculls finished fourth in their heat. The German crew got out to an early lead, while the Americans crossed the first 500 meters in fourth place. The crew of Mira Meek, Clare Junius, Emma Kirk, and Claire Sopko crossed the finish line in a time of 6:59.57. They will race in the Semifinals on Saturday. 

The men’s quadruple sculls of Alexander Auth, Donovan Moses, Andrew Vizecky, and George Kapp placed fifth in their heat. After an early contest with Ukraine, the U.S. crew pulled ahead but couldn’t match the speed of the leaders. Switzerland won the heat, and the U.S. crossed in 6:17.76. They’ll race in the C Final on Saturday.

Facing tough competition, the U.S. men’s eight finished fifth in their heat with a time of 5:57.93. Great Britain set the pace early, while the U.S. challenged Italy for fourth. Despite a closing sprint, the Americans were unable to edge ahead. They will race in the B Final on Sunday.

The U.S. will race again on Saturday with Semifinals in the men’s and women’s four, women’s quadruple sculls, and the men’s single sculls, and the C Final for the men’s quadruple sculls. 

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.