Ethan Pirigyi '26 of Buffalo and Brodie Vitko '27 of Hamburg were chosen to attend this summer's USRowing U19 Selection Development Camp in Ypsilanti, Mich., which concluded Wednesday as both posted impressive finishes at the inaugural International Rowing Challenge.

The pair trained with fellow elite U.S. under-19 rowers at Eastern Michigan University beginning on June 23. USRowing stated that participants at the development camp "were chosen for their potential to compete at the highest levels of international rowing."

The International Rowing Challenge – hosted by USRowing as part of the 2025 RowFest National Championships – saw the U.S. rowers on multiple crews taking on top U19 talent from Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

Pirigyi won gold with the coxed four, while Vitko was on a crew that was fourth in the field of 12 boats.

Pirigyi also earned silver in the men's pair (with Will Kulikowski of New Jersey, just 1:45 behind New Zealand) and bronze with the mixed eight; Vitko's eight was first in the B final.

Both Pirigyi and Vitko were on the history-making national champion senior eight for CHS along with captains Isaiah Aljuwani '25 of Kenmore and Liam Feeney '25 of West Seneca, who are currently at USRowing's U19 National Team Selection Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. (which ends today).

Young athletes looking to build a rewarding career in this great sport can learn from our championship program – led by coach Jacob Filby '14 – at CHS Rowing Camp. More information at canisiushigh.org/bestsummerever

Families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area's "Best Catholic School" by Business First – can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit

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