PRINCETON, N.J. – Columbia Lightweight Rowing senior Sam Melvin, who already has two medals under his belt, including a gold at the U23 World Rowing Championships, has been named the USRowing U23 Male Athlete of the Year as announced by USRowing on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
 
The ceremony for where Melvin, along with USRowing U23 Female Athlete of the Year, Emily Kallfelz, will receive their awards at the 2019 Golden Oars Gala on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the New York Athletic Club located at 180 Central Park South in Manhattan.
 
A two-time national team member, Melvin won the gold medal in the lightweight men's single sculls in Sarasota-Bradenton. He became the first U.S. rower to win the event since Andrew Campbell, Jr., who won the lightweight single in back-to-back years in 2013-14.
 
"Really just gratitude to be honest," said Melvin. "In terms of performance, I definitely couldn't have done it on my own. There's a giant support network that went into (this). My success is really due to my great support network, and I'm just very thankful for that. (Winning the award) is definitely not something I expected and thought about, but obviously it feels good, and I'm thankful."
 
Melvin won a bronze medal in the lightweight four at the 2018 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Poznan, Poland.

"Sam has done an incredible job representing the United States," said head coach Nich Lee Parker.  "His perseverance through the heats, reps and semis to ultimately take home the gold (at the U23 Worlds) is a testament to his grit and determination."
 
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