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Oct 11, 2024
Team USA
Princeton, NJ, October 11, 2024 — USRowing is proud to announce that the selection procedures for the 2025 U23 and U19 national teams are now posted and open for public comment until October 26, 2025. The 2025 selection procedures mark a shift in focus, designed to prioritize individual athlete potential and development as USRowing looks toward the future of American rowing and prepares its athletes for the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games.
"These changes are a critical step in rethinking how we prepare our athletes for international competition," said Josy Verdonkschot, USRowing’s Chief High Performance Officer. "We cannot expect different results at the Olympics without making foundational changes to how we develop our top talent from a younger age. Our approach is focused on identifying potential early and providing these athletes with the resources and opportunities they need to excel at the senior and Olympic levels."
The United States boasts an impressive youth and collegiate system, with athletes competing at a high level on the national stage. USRowing’s Pathways Program seeks to harness this talent by identifying the nation’s top athletes and enhancing their development as they progress through high school and college. Pathways will provide these athletes with additional resources, including educational programs and enhanced training opportunities through winter high-performance and summer selection camps.
"Pathways is about investing in our future," said Verdonkschot. "By identifying and developing the athletes with the highest potential, we are not just preparing for today’s competitions but for Olympic cycles to come. We are raising the bar and setting new standards for what it takes to compete on the international stage."
In alignment with USRowing’s long-term vision, the 2025 selection procedures will include a greater emphasis on small boat rowing, an area where the U.S. has historically seen room for improvement. Notably, the straight four event will be added to the selection camp slate, along with the eights and quadruple sculls for each gender, reflecting a broader range of selection camp opportunities. Additionally, time standards will now be introduced for selection camp boats to ensure that athletes meet performance expectations across all boat classes.
The U19 trials will take place on June 16-17 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida after the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships and will include the single sculls, double sculls and pair events. Meanwhile, the U23 trials will be held in West Windsor, NJ, on June 2-3 following the NCAA and IRA Championships. By scheduling the trials close to these key youth and collegiate competitions, USRowing aims to encourage athletes to prioritize training in these boat classes throughout the spring, rather than waiting until the end of their competitive seasons to begin forming their trials lineups.
"This is a strategic shift," Verdonkschot explains. "The best rowing nations have long understood the importance of small boat skills, which require a higher degree of technical proficiency and individual responsibility. By emphasizing small boat development at the U19 and U23 levels, we are building a foundation that will prepare our athletes to be competitive in the senior and Olympic arenas."
USRowing’s Pathways Program and these selection procedure changes represent a comprehensive effort to create a stronger and more sustainable pipeline of athletes, capable of competing at the highest levels.
To provide further insight into these changes and the goals for the 2025 U19 and U23 teams, USRowing Director of High-Performance Pathways Brett Gorman will host three upcoming webinars. These webinars will offer a deeper dive into the objectives for both teams and the various camp opportunities available. The schedule is as follows:
As Verdonkschot embarks on his first full Olympic cycle as USRowing’s High Performance leader, his focus is clear: “LA2028 is a critical moment for USRowing, but the work starts now. We are making these changes with an eye on long-term success. Our goal is not just to participate in the Olympics but to be podium contenders in every event. To get there, we need to start developing our athletes differently.”
The public is invited to review and comment on the newly posted U19 and U23 national team selection procedures over the next two weeks on the USRowing website.
For more information, or to review the 2025 U19 and U23 national team selection procedures, visit usrowing.org. All comments on the procedures should be sent to brett.gorman@usrowing.org or through the Anonymous Selection Procedure Feedback Form.
For media inquiries, contact Media@USRowing.org.
