Rowing Club of the Woodlands' Stellar Performance at Usrowing Youth National Championships

THE WOODALNDS, TX -- The Rowing Club of The Woodlands is proud to announce its remarkable performance at this year’s USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, FL, earlier this month. This season's achievements are particularly special as we celebrate our 35th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in our journey of fostering a passion for rowing in The Woodlands.

Our club has reached its highest level of performance, and we are incredibly proud of our achievements. Competing against over 800 boats and more than 4,000 high-level rowers from 200+ clubs nationwide, our six youth crews and 15 rowers showcased exceptional talent and determination. The team's performance was highlighted by our Women's U-19 Varsity Quad (Alisha Muncherjee, Lili Shiver, Enya Krathaus, Maria Bustamante) and 2nd Varsity Quad (Isabella Irarragorri, Rachel Reinhardt, Allison Fruehwirth, Caolin Krathaus), both USRowing Central Region Champions, who earned impressive 4th and 5th place finishes in the nation. Our U-17 Men’s Quad (Lucas Casanova, Thatcher Kennedy, Esteban Barbosa, Adrian Manrique) – all new to the national-level rowing scene, also delivered a stellar performance, placing 18th in the nation. Continuing our strong tradition in singles sculling, Liam Barnes and Harry Godin, both USRowing Central Region Champions in their respective categories, delivered outstanding performances. Harry secured an impressive 5th place in the nation in the U-17 Men's Single, while Liam Barnes and Klim Zolotarev competed admirably in the U-19 Men’s Single marking their debut in this age category.

Our achievements at this year’s Nationals are a testament to the progress and potential of our young rowers. This accomplishment underscores the dedication and hard work of our athletes and coaches. It is incredible to see how far our team has come and how much they have grown over the season. We are confident that our program will continue to thrive and reach new heights in the years to come.
We are incredibly proud not only of the young rowers who earned spots at Nationals but also of every athlete in our program. Their progress this season has been remarkable, and we look forward to continuing to promote the sport of rowing in The Woodlands. Our community's support has been invaluable in creating an environment where athletes can flourish and excel. As we prepare for the upcoming season starting in August, we are confident that it will be our best ever. Building on past successes and experiences, our team is growing and performing at higher levels. We remain committed to promoting the sport of rowing in The Woodlands, ensuring that our community continues to thrive and excel in this esteemed sport.

Our achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional coaches — Devan Godfrey, Joe Flynn, and Gary Godfrey. Their guidance and passion have been instrumental in driving our success this season. Coach Joe Flynn reflected on the season, saying, 'Our club’s high-performance culture has evolved tremendously. Competing at this high level against the fastest crews in the country was thrilling for our athletes, parents, and coaches. We're no longer just watching from afar; we're in the thick of it, racing side by side with the best. The progress and potential of our young team are truly inspiring.'
Coach Gary Godfrey added, 'I am incredibly pleased with how our Club has come together, creating a friendly yet high-performing culture that embodies our team spirit and competitive nature. This year, our program is the youngest it has ever been, and we've truly outperformed ourselves. The encouragement about our future is inspiring, and I cannot think of a better sport and team for kids aged 13 to 19 to be a part of.”
We also want to thank and bid farewell to Devan Godfrey as he heads to college at the University of Washington. Devan, a two-time Men's Youth Single's National Champion and the 2023 Youth Single’s Head of The Charles Champion, started in our program in 2018 and has reached the highest level of performance in our country for a youth rower. Devan is now a well-known name in the national rowing community, and his achievements speak volumes. We'll miss Devan, but we are excited to see what he will accomplish next as a member of the Huskies crew, one of the most elite college rowing programs in the nation.

As we celebrate this successful season and our 35th anniversary, we are more committed than ever to the future of rowing in The Woodlands. Our focus remains on building on our successes, fostering a culture of excellence, and promoting the sport or rowing within our community. Overall, our team performance has improved every year, and we cannot wait to see what next year will bring!

The Rowing Club of The Woodlands thanks everyone who has supported us this season. Your unwavering encouragement and backing have been instrumental in creating an environment where our athletes can flourish and excel.

For more information, please visit www.woodlandsrowing.org