Mount Saint Joseph Academy Alumna Named to United States Junior National Team for World Rowing Championships

After a historic season for the Mount Saint Joseph Academy Crew Team filled with numerous regatta wins and a National title, team captain and recent Mount graduate Ava Smith ’26 has taken the global stage at the World Rowing Under 19 (U19) Championships - the aim of nearly every competitive U19 rower. Smith traveled with the United States team to Plovdiv, Bulgaria to compete against four other eight boats from Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and Romania.

The eight boat had a high standard to meet following the USA team’s years of success in the event including a 2nd place finish in the 2025 final. Smith was in the powerhouse six-seat after spending three years in the Varsity eight boat at the Mount which earned two A-final finishes at the USRowing Youth National Championships this year, the program’s first National win in 20 years.

After rowing in the World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Ava Smith will begin her first year at the University of California Berkeley to continue both her studies and her rowing career.