USRowing Names McClain and Espinoza as U19 and U23 Pathways Talent Coaches

USRowing is proud to announce the appointment of Caitlin McClain and Sergio Espinoza as Pathways Talent Coaches, a new initiative designed to strengthen the organization’s athlete identification and development system for U19 and U23 rowers.

The elevation of these two accomplished coaches within USRowing’s Pathways system marks a significant investment in developing the next generation of high-performance athletes. McClain and Espinoza will serve as head coaches for the U19 and U23 Selection Camps, expanding the organization’s reach and capacity to identify and develop talent with long-term potential for the Senior National and Olympic Teams. Both coaches have already led U19 and U23 teams to outstanding international success, consistently guiding athletes to the podium and into the next stages of their high-performance journeys.

“This is a focused push toward expanding our athlete development program and propelling us toward Los Angeles and beyond,” said Brett Gorman, Fred L. Emerson Jr. Head Coach, High Performance. “Caitlin and Sergio bring a wealth of experience, passion, and a proven track record of athlete success that will directly enhance our national team pipeline.”

About the Pathways Talent Coach Role

As contractors within USRowing’s High Performance Pathways, McClain and Espinoza will design and implement scouting and development strategies to identify promising U19 and U23 athletes across the country. They will collaborate closely with youth, scholastic, and collegiate programs to build relationships, observe athletes, and connect potential national team candidates to the High Performance system.

Their work will be closely aligned with USRowing’s broader mission to create a unified, sustainable, and inclusive athlete development structure that supports long-term international success.

Caitlin McClain

Caitlin McClain has been a cornerstone of the USRowing U19 system since 2014. After serving as an assistant coach for five years, she coached the 2019 U19 Women’s Quadruple Sculls in Tokyo and became the U19 Women’s Head Coach in 2021. Under her leadership, crews achieved A Final finishes in 2021-2025. Her U19 women’s four captured gold this past year in Lithuania. 

Beyond her national team accomplishments, McClain was the Head Coach at Seattle Pacific University, where she guided the Division II program to three NCAA appearances in four years, including a varsity four national title in 2024. Previously, she spent 15 years building Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Washington into a national powerhouse, highlighted by a third-place finish in the youth eight at the 2019 USRowing Youth Nationals. She won the 2024 USRowing Ernestine Bayer Award for her exceptional leadership with the U19 national team. 

Sergio Espinoza

Sergio Espinoza began coaching with the U.S. system in 2016 as an intern with the U19 National Team and has since become a mainstay of the USRowing high performance coaching staff. A four-time U23 medalist coach for both the U.S. and Canada, his crews have captured gold in the U.S. men’s four with coxswain (2018), gold in the Canadian four (2021), silver in the U.S. men’s eight (2024), and gold in the U.S. men’s four (2025).

Espinoza spent eight years with the University of Washington, progressing from volunteer coach to full-time assistant as the program secured two IRA National Championships and five Ten Eyck Memorial Trophies. In 2024 and 2025, he contributed as an assistant coach for the U.S. senior national team. He is currently an assistant coach at Princeton University. 

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Exercise Science, Espinoza brings a scientific and athlete-centered approach to talent development.

A Unified Push Toward the Future

The introduction of these Pathways Talent Coach roles underscores USRowing’s commitment to strengthening its development pipeline, ensuring that talented athletes from across the country have the opportunity, support, and guidance needed to reach their high-performance goals.

With McClain and Espinoza leading scouting and development efforts for U19 and U23 athletes, USRowing is building a stronger, more connected foundation that will support sustained international success through the LA 2028 Olympic Games and beyond.

Applications are now open in the USRowing Membership Portal for the U19 and U23 High Performance Winter Camps. United We Row Scholarships are available; the application is here. Additional information can be found on the U19 and U23 camp pages.