Columbia University alumnus Sam Melvin has been chosen for the USRowing National Team following his participation in the 2026 Selection Camp I, according to an announcement from USRowing. Melvin, who graduated in 2019, will compete at World Cup II and World Cup III events alongside athletes who succeed at the upcoming National Selection Regatta in May. The selection camp took place from January 25 to February 8 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida.
Melvin’s recent international experience includes finishing fourth in the lightweight single sculls at the 2024 World Rowing Championships and seventh in the lightweight double sculls during the same year’s Final Olympic & Paralympic Qualification Regatta. In 2019, he was named USRowing U23 Male Athlete of the Year and won gold in single sculls at the U23 World Rowing Championship.
The next World Rowing Championships are scheduled for August 24-30 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
USRowing described its mission as follows: “USRowing is a nonprofit membership organization recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing selects, trains and manages the teams that represent the U.S. in international competition including the world championships, Pan American Games and Olympics. More than 75,000 individuals and 1,300 organizations strong, USRowing serves and promotes the sport on all levels of competition. USRowing membership reflects the spectrum of American rowers- juniors, collegians, masters and those who row for recreation, competition or fitness.”
Updates about Columbia Rowing can be found on their social media channels @CULionsRowing or their website GoColumbiaLions.com.
