Simeon John Completes Single-Solo Double at Inaugural US Youth Beach Sprint Championships

Three days after winning a youth national championship in the men’s single, Community Rowing’s Simeon John added up the men’s solo national title at the inaugural USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships. Simeon won the first at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, on 14 June, and the second just 10km away at Lido Beach, also in Sarasota, on 17 June.

While Simeon might be too inexperienced to win the USA’s lone men’s quota spot for LA28—he would at least have to fight off the most decorated beach sprint athlete all-time in four-time world champion Chris Bak—his feat in Sarasota will perhaps fuel the aspirations of athletes who are hoping to compete in both flat water and coastal rowing in Los Angeles.

The U.S. youth beach sprint nationals were scheduled to take place over 16 and 17 June, but many of the races on the second day, including the finals of the men’s and women’s doubles, were canceled because of dangerous water conditions. Results from canceled events were determined from the rankings in the previous day’s time trials.

The championships also coincided with USRowing’s Beach Sprint Speed Order regatta, whose winners would be offered a spot at this summer’s beach sprint selection camp.

The podiums from the USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships were:

Youth CW1x:

1. Kiran Rodgers – Elizabeth City Rowing Club
2. Adele Fulton
3. Natalia Townsend – Potomac Boat Club

Youth CM1x:

1. Simeon John – Community Rowing
2. Ronan Maher – Next Level Rowing
3. Isaac Moos – Channel Islands Rowing Club

Youth COG1x:

1. Kennedy Kelly – Tahoe Crew

Youth CW2x (Time Trial):

1. Natalia Townsend, Frida Martinez-Reza – Potomac Boat Club
2. Bridgette Hanson, Eden Smith – Tempe Junior Crew
3. Olympia Catalino, Allegra Catalino – The Winsor School

Youth CM2x (Time Trial):

1. Tim Mayer, Daniel Lent – Elizabeth City Rowing Club
2. Cameron Degroote, Matej Janevski – Sarasota Scullers
3. Isaac Moos, Simeon John – Channel Islands/Community Rowing

The podiums from the USRowing Beach Sprint Speed Order were:

CW1x:

1. Christine Cavallo – USRowing Training Center
2. Sera Busse – Green Racing Project
3. Ariana Townsend – Next Level Rowing

CM1x:

1. Christopher Bak – Next Level Rowing
2. Malachi Anderson – Next Level Rowing
3. Justin Stephens – Next Level Rowing