Development?

The United States will send 3 lightweight U23 crews to Bradenburg Germany for this year's U23 World Championships; the light men's single, double, and pair. Turnout for this year's regatta was sparse at best with a combined four boats to compete for the LM2- and LM2x. The men's light 1x was the most populated event of the U23 regatta with 7 entries. Numbers across the country for U23 Lightweight camps where equally disappointing.

Of the 9 varsity lightweight eights and 72 varsity lightweight athletes that competed at this years IRA National Championships only 3 athletes attended a Senior or U23 World Championship trial; Yale lightweight Alex Rothmeier won the Senior Light Pair trial with Riverside teammate, John Nichols, Princeton's Varsity Stroke, James Donovan won the Men's Lightweight Double with his freshman teammate, Robin Prendes, and Dartmouth Senior, David Smith placed third in the light men's single, 7 seconds behind the eventual winner, Temple's Sam Cunningham (rowing for Malta this summer).

The question then remains, where are the other 69 athletes that competed for this year's National Championships? These are arguably the best U23 lightweight rowers in the country, maybe the world, what is stopping them from competing internationally?