The Canisius High School Varsity Eight recorded the program's best finish in 15 years this weekend at the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships.

CHS improved two spots from its 2025 national ranking as the crew finished 17th nationally at Nathan Benderson Park in Bradenton, Florida.  

The eight was also the fifth-fastest high school program at the regatta, which includes both scholastic and club programs. 

The crew of Oliver Reynolds '26, Patrick Basil '26, Hagen Leuthe '28, Brodie Vitko '27, Von Kramer '27, Joe Cheney '26, Zack Benczkowski '26, Ethan Pirigyi '26, and coxswain Joey Castiglione '27 led wire-to-wire and defeated Saratoga Rowing Association by 0.38 seconds to win the Third-Level Final and secure a 17th place finish. 

Canisius reversed the results from May's New York State Championships, where Saratoga finished ahead of CHS by 4.5 seconds. 

In the Under-16 Coxed Quad event, the freshmen crew of Parker Stafford, Caspian Gustafson, Rylan Siuta, Lincoln Jacobs and Joseph Gorino improved throughout the regatta en route to a top-10 finish.

The crew rallied after a 16th-place showing in the time trial and an 8th-place finish in their semifinal, turning the tides in the B Final to finish second, good for 10th overall. 

This is the best finish for CHS in the U16 Coxed Quad event. This 10th-place finish ranked them second in terms of scholastic, high school programs. 

The Crusaders will return to action in late August for their preseason training in the hopes of continuing to improve their national ranking year over year.

Check out the Crusaders' season results, roster and fun photo gallery here at canisiussports.com
  
Young athletes looking to start a rewarding career in this great sport can do so during our Best. Summer. Ever. camps via canisiushigh.org/bestsummerever

Students and families interested in the championship tradition of CHS Rowing and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked by Buffalo Business First as Buffalo's "Best Catholic School" and WNY's top private school in "Best High Schools for Athletes" – can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit

This place is special. Let us show you why.

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