Australia names 2025 Under 23 Eights: Tradition meets momentum

Rowing Australia (RA) has announced the 2025 Under 23 Men’s and Women’s Eights, combining returning firepower with rising U.S. collegiate talent.

The crews are set to contest the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Poznan, Poland, from July 23-27, with both lineups drawing from a deep well of international and U.S.-based experience.

Rowing Australia’s Head of Pathways, Jason Lane, praised the quality and character of the selected athletes.

“This is an exciting group of athletes with proven international experience and new energy,” Lane said.

“To have so many returning members from last year’s Eights, alongside athletes who’ve excelled at the top levels of U.S. collegiate rowing, puts us in a solid position.

"The continued progression of our U23 crews is a testament to the collaboration between universities, states and our international development model. We’re excited to see what this group can deliver.”

In 2024, the Australian Men’s Eight earned a Bronze medal in a hotly contested final, while the Women’s Eight missed the podium by one spot, finishing fourth.

Six members of last year’s Bronze medal-winning Men’s Eight - Ben Scott, Ed Nutt, Jeremy Beale, James Frederikson, Drew Weightman and coxswain Jonathon Cooke - return for a second tilt.

In the Women’s Eight, Sarah Marriott, Lucy Searle, and coxswain Summer Kellett are back, bringing valuable international race experience to a refreshed crew.

In a compelling continuation of Australian rowing legacy, Ben Scott and Drew Weightman will row together in this year's Eight again.

Their fathers, Rob Scott OLY (former RA President) and Dave Weightman OLY, famously rowed the Pair at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, winning a Silver medal.

Nearly three decades later, their sons will carry the legacy forward, donning the green and gold in an Eight of their own yet again.

The selection announcement follows an exceptional weekend for Australian athletes competing at the 2025 IRA National Championships and NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.

Scott led Harvard to a Silver medal in the Varsity Eight, driving the rhythm from the stroke seat, while fellow returnees Beale and Baroni (Cal Berkeley) and Nutt (Princeton) contributed to top-10 results across multiple divisions.

Frederikson (Dartmouth) also featured strongly, rounding out a core group who continue to thrive across both U.S. collegiate and national team programs.

On the women’s side, Marriott claimed Silver in the Varsity Eight with Stanford, while Searle and Grey helped Texas to a Bronze medal, building on their standout seasons.

Richardson (Tennessee) and Coull (Tennessee) also posted top-tier finishes, further solidifying their international credentials.

With medals in their sights, both Eights will now enter their final preparation phase ahead of the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

Under 23 Men’s Eight:

Andrew Weightman (QLD / University of Queensland Boat Club), Benjamin Scott (WA / Fremantle Rowing Club / Harvard University), Daniel Cashman (QLD / University of Queensland Boat Club / Princeton University), Darcy Watter (QLD / KAND Rowing Club), Edward Nutt (NSW / Sydney University Boat Club / Princeton University), James Frederikson (NSW / Sydney Rowing Club / Dartmouth University), Jeremy Beale (SA / Adelaide University Boat Club / UC Berkeley), Jonathon Cooke (coxswain) (QLD / KAND Rowing Club), Matthew Cashman (QLD / University of Queensland Boat Club / Princeton University)

Coach: John Bowes

Under 23 Women’s Eight:

Anna Morrison (VIC / Mercantile Rowing Club), Chloe Cooper (VIC / Melbourne University Boat Club / The University of Texas), Hannah Richardson (NSW / University of Tennessee), Imogen Grey (NSW / Sydney University Boat Club / University of Texas), Lucy Searle (NSW / Sydney Rowing Club / The University of Texas), Sarah Marriott (VIC / VIS / Melbourne University Boat Club / Stanford University), Summer Kellett (coxswain) (VIC / Mercantile Rowing Club / Brown University), Theadora Coull (VIC / Melbourne University Boat Club / The University of Tennessee), Tiffany Botha (NSW / Sydney University Boat Club)

Coach: Hally Chapman

2025 Australian Under 23 Rowing Team