Tristar rowing teams look to earn national hardware

Against the sun-drenched backdrop of Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, the USRowing Youth National Championships will unfold June 6-9 as a crucible of excellence where only the most tenacious and skilled rowers earn their place.

Tristar Rowing in Louisville qualified 31 athletes across seven boats to represent the team and community at nationals. It's the largest showing from Tennessee. This achievement marks another significant milestone for Tristar, only five years young. The team's performance at USRowing's SouthEast Regional Championships earlier this month was a testament to hard work and dedication.

Qualification isn't mere formality; it’s a gauntlet of trials, early mornings, late nights and unwavering commitment. To sit at the starting line is an honor — an affirmation of grit, teamwork and sacrifice. These young athletes aren’t just racing against each other; they’re chasing their own legacy in a symphony of precision, determination and teamwork.

There will be more than 170 teams, more than 4,000 athletes and close to 650 competing boats slicing their oars through glassy waters in pursuit of national glory. It is the largest sprint race in the United States with only the elite of the elite getting a chance to row the 2,000-meter course.

The Women's U17 4+ — under the age of 17 and a team of four rowers and a coxswain to steer — boat made a triumphant statement, securing a decisive gold. The crew not only claimed the top spot, but established a commanding lead over second place. Their impressive performance sets the stage for a strong showing at nationals as they build on this momentum.

“The women’s U17 4+ is a special bunch," Tristar Head Coach Katie Moore said. "Some raw talent combined with an extremely hard work ethic has put them in a unique position for our team — first in the region by 20 seconds. We know the competition will be fierce at Nationals, and I’m excited to watch them rise to the occasion and battle it out down the race course. A podium finish is not out of the question.”

In rowing, glory is for the crew and the team, not the individual, and Tristar's Women's U17 4x has never needed this reminder. They proved their commitment to each other and rowed as one charging down the grueling course and earning a decisive silver.

“Our boat has so much heart,"said Grayson Medera. "The four of us (including Sophie Simione and Austyn Burkhalter) made it to nationals by rowing for each other and making each practice intentional. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete at nats and represent our team and each other.”

The women's U15 4x+ also gained a distinct silver, highlighting future promise for the team as lower classmen begin to flood the racecourse. Tristar's Men's 2v 4x boat secured an impressive second place finish at regionals, cementing their status as one of the top boats in the SouthEast. The Men's 4x boat captured a distinguished Bronze in this highly competitive and exceptionally fast category.

Tristar's Men's U17 4+ proved their mettle on the water, demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork as they crossed the finish line reeling in another Silver for the team from a fierce field of competitors.

The roster of athletes across events demonstrates the team's versatility and growing depth.

“This is a really fun group of athletes to work with," Moore said. "They have been more disciplined than any group thus far, putting in extra work and really taking their training to the next level. We will be represented in all age categories, which really speaks to the depth and commitment of these athletes. It’s exciting to see, as we are still working to gain traction with this sport in east Tennessee. These athletes are ready to represent on the national stage, and have sights set on A/B finals.”