Warwick Student Wins Medals at National Rowing Championship

15-year-old Stephan Kitar brings home gold, silver, and bronze from U.S. Rowing Indoor National Championship

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Stephan Kitar, a sophomore at Warwick Valley High School and captain of the school's boys rowing team, competed at the 2026 U.S. Rowing Indoor National Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and earned gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Youth 17 Division against top youth rowers from across the country.

Why it matters

Kitar's impressive performance at the national competition highlights the growth and dedication of the Warwick Valley High School rowing program, and sets a high bar for the program's future success at the state and national levels.

The details

Kitar raced in three demanding events - the 2,000-meter, 1-minute, and 500-meter races - and earned bronze in the 2,000-meter, gold in the 1-minute sprint, and silver in the 500-meter. He was the sole athlete representing the Warwick Valley Central School District, competing against athletes from established rowing programs across multiple states.

  • The competition took place last weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • Kitar is currently a 15-year-old sophomore at Warwick Valley High School.

The players

Stephan Kitar

A sophomore at Warwick Valley High School and captain of the school's boys rowing team.

Warwick Valley High School

The high school Stephan Kitar attends and represents in the rowing competition.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really thankful for my coaches and everyone who's helped build the rowing program at Warwick. They've pushed me to be better every day and made it possible for me to compete nationally. I hope my experience encourages more students to try rowing and helps the program keep growing, so one day we can participate at events like this as a team.”

— Stephan Kitar, Warwick Valley High School Sophomore (midhudsonnews.com)

What’s next

Stephan Kitar's national success sets a high bar for the Warwick Valley High School rowing program, and with multiple seasons still ahead of him, he is poised to continue competing at the state and national levels.

The takeaway

Stephan Kitar's impressive performance at the 2026 U.S. Rowing Indoor National Championship, where he earned gold, silver, and bronze medals, highlights the growth and dedication of the Warwick Valley High School rowing program and signals a promising future for the school's athletes at the state and national levels.