Youth Beach Sprint National Champions Crowned at Lido Beach

The 2026 USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships concluded Wednesday at Lido Beach in Sarasota, Florida, bringing two days of exciting coastal rowing competition to a close. Despite challenging conditions that affected portions of the racing schedule, athletes from across the country showcased their speed, endurance, and beach sprint skills as national champions were crowned. 

In the men's single sculls, tight racing highlighted multiple rounds of competition. Final D produced one of the most remarkable results of the regatta, as Sarasota athletes Jagger Williams and Harrison Lee crossed the finish line in an exact tie, both recording a time of 3:26.82.

At the front of the field, Community Rowing's Simeon John captured the national title, earning his second national championship in less than a week after winning the men's youth single sculls at the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships. Battling waves and defending beach sprint national champion Ronan Maher, John stayed close through the run and row portions of the course before making a decisive move on the final sprint back to the beach to secure the victory.

Elizabeth City Rowing Club's Kiran Rodger claimed the women's single sculls national championship, crossing the line more than 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Adelle Fulton. Potomac Boat Club's Natalia Townsend earned bronze following a closely contested race with Indianapolis Rowing Center's Mary Bain, with just 2.99 seconds separating the two athletes. The remaining C and D finals in the event were canceled out of an abundance of caution regarding water conditions.

In the open gender single sculls event, Tahoe Crew's Kennedy Kelly raced unopposed and secured the national title with a time of 7:17.45.

Water conditions also led to the cancellation of the double sculls finals, with Tuesday's time trial results determining the final standings. Community Rowing's Isaac Moos and Simeon John earned the national title in the men's double sculls, followed by Next Level Rowing's Ronan Maher and Nathan McDaniel in second. Elizabeth City Rowing Club's Tim Mayer and Daniel Lent completed the podium in third.

In the women's double sculls, Colleen Carpenter and Mary Bain posted the fastest time trial performance to win the national championship by 8.47 seconds. Elizabeth City Rowing Club's Emma Mayer and Ella McFadden earned silver, while Tempe Junior Crew's Bridgette Hanson and Eden Smith took bronze.

National Team Speed Orders

Competition also continued in the Beach Sprint National Team Speed Orders. Three-time Beach Sprint Solo World Champion Chris Bak won the men's speed order final, defeating mixed quadruple sculls world champion Malachi Anderson. Justin Stevens rounded out the top three with a time of 2:41.16.

In the women's speed order event, experienced national team athletes Cristine Cavallo and Sera Busse met in the final. Cavallo claimed the victory in 2:50.50, with Busse finishing second in 2:54.05. Ariana Townsend secured third place after defeating fellow Next Level Rowing teammate Maddy Focht.

The 2026 Youth Beach Sprint National Championships marked another milestone for the rapidly growing discipline of coastal rowing in the United States. With participation continuing to increase and Beach Sprints set to make their Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the event showcased the next generation of athletes poised to represent the United States on the national and international stage.