This week, the Newport Aquatic Center Junior Rowing Team is in Sarasota, Florida, ready to throw down at the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships – the biggest stage in junior rowing.
With over 800 entries from 224 clubs across the U.S., this regatta brings together the fastest crews from coast to coast. The NAC is coming in strong with nine boats ready to go full send across eight different boat classes!
After a season of early mornings, relentless training, and solid focus, these crews have earned their shot. Now it’s race time!
The Boats:
Women’s Youth 8+
Our top women’s crew is dialed in and ready to go:
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Grace Galipeau
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Sydney Chait-Walter
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Allegra Steege
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Katie Dahl
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Lily Gonzalez
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Maeve Proud
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Eden Smith
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Kiana Banta
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Bridgette Knapp
Women’s 2V 8+
NAC is doubling down in this event with two strong lineups:
Crew 1:
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Ava Kellman
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Sophia Lin
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Chloe Lopez
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Emerson Bivinetto
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Bitsy Nelson
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Mariah Zepeda
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Bita Roham
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Gabby Bertoia
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Sydney Aceves
Crew 2:
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Zulema Zunzunegui
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Helen Beary
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Ava Joseph
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Ella Lin Espinosa
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Jade Steege
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Lexie Karnick
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Evan Weinberg
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Defne Dusi
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Sophie Tadeo
Women’s U17 8+
Our next wave of rising athletes is stepping up in this category:
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Sanika Golvelker
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Gianna Cheng
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Kyla Winfield
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Clara Galipeau
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Callie Yao
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Liz Renger
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Sophia Belasco
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Izzy Freijo
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Sophia Tadeo
Men’s Youth 8+
The Varsity 8+ is ready to attack the course:
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Eva Hauge
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Arthur Bimont
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Owen Clark
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Augie Freijo
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Ethan Hicks
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Sherman Martinez
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Maddox Russell
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Michael Betzler
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Lukas Smith
Men’s Youth 2V8+
Another solid crew ready to race:
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Allegra Vidali
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James Godinez
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Tripp Olinger
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Tristan Wendenberg
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Cooper Liu
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Brady Wood
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Liam McCarthy
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Steven Mortensen
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Calvin Chain-Walter
Men’s Youth 2-
One small boat. Two big engines:
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Augie Freijo
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Owen Clark
Men’s U17 8+
Our U17 crew is young, fast, and fired up:
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Ella McGreevy
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Milo Price
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Jack Wickstrom
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Grant Cernok
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Julian Greenberg
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Layne Woodruff
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George Bielen
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Michael Reznik
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Elias Zunzunegui
Men’s U17 4+
A tight-knit crew with serious drive:
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Alexis Sandahl
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Evan Javid
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Sonny Conejo
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Jax Olinger
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Ben Shinder
No matter what happens on the leaderboard, this week is about testing everything they’ve built together — the discipline, the trust, the tenacity.
Nationals isn’t just about medals. It’s about showing up with heart, representing NAC with pride, and leaving it all on the course.
Follow along for updates and behind-the-scenes action from Florida. Let’s go NAC! 🚣♂️💥
Time Trials Start Thursday, June 12th
Semis on Friday
Finals on Saturday and Sunday