Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Charlotte Buck '18CC and Sam Melvin '19CC Represent USRowing at 2026 World Championships
9/2/2026 12:15:00 PM | General, Women's Rowing, Lightweight Rowing
Buck earned bronze in Women’s Eight; Melvin recorded the best U.S. men’s single sculls finish at a World Championships in 29 years
NEW YORK — Columbia rowing alumni Charlotte Buck '18CC and Sam Melvin '19CC represented USRowing at the 2026 World Championships in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Buck's U.S. crew in the Women's Eight settled into fifth early before making its move through the second half of the race. The Americans surged into medal contention over the final 500 meters, overtaking the Netherlands and closing on Great Britain. Romania claimed gold, with Great Britain taking silver and the U.S. earning bronze in 5:53.76.
The bronze medal capped a strong showing for the U.S. women's sweep program, as the pair, four and eight all reached the podium at the same World Championships for the first time since 2015.
"We knew everybody was gonna be pretty fast with the tailwind conditions," said Buck. "We were very inspired by our women's four setting a new world's best time, so we've had a goal all season to hit a certain speed through the 500. We were definitely there. We knew that we were in it. The U.S. women, we're good at walking in the middle of the race, so that was really our game plan."
Buck was a First Team All-Ivy League selection in 2018, two-time First Team All-Region selection by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (2017 and 2018), and was selected to the Pocock Second Team All-America squad during her Columbia career. The Nyack, N.Y. native is a two-time Olympian.
Melvin delivered a breakthrough performance in Amsterdam, becoming the first U.S. men's single sculler to reach a World Championship A Final since James Koven won the event in 1997.
In the A Final, Melvin settled into sixth place early before making his move through the second half of the race. He climbed to fourth by the 1,500-meter mark and continued to challenge Norway for the bronze medal. The two boats raced virtually even through the final strokes, with Norway edging Melvin for third by just 0.11 seconds.
Melvin crossed the finish line in fourth in 6:44.14, marking the best U.S. finish in the men's single sculls at the World Championships in 29 years. Germany's Oliver Zeidler captured the gold medal.
In 2019, Melvin was the USRowing U23 Male Athlete of the Year and won the U23 World Rowing Championship in single sculls.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia Rowing, follow @CULionsRowing on X and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com
About USRowing
USRowing is a nonprofit membership organization recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing selects, trains and manages the teams that represent the U.S. in international competition including the world championships, Pan American Games and Olympics. More than 75,000 individuals and 1,300 organizations strong, USRowing serves and promotes the sport on all levels of competition. USRowing membership reflects the spectrum of American rowers- juniors, collegians, masters and those who row for recreation, competition or fitness.
Buck's U.S. crew in the Women's Eight settled into fifth early before making its move through the second half of the race. The Americans surged into medal contention over the final 500 meters, overtaking the Netherlands and closing on Great Britain. Romania claimed gold, with Great Britain taking silver and the U.S. earning bronze in 5:53.76.
The bronze medal capped a strong showing for the U.S. women's sweep program, as the pair, four and eight all reached the podium at the same World Championships for the first time since 2015.
"We knew everybody was gonna be pretty fast with the tailwind conditions," said Buck. "We were very inspired by our women's four setting a new world's best time, so we've had a goal all season to hit a certain speed through the 500. We were definitely there. We knew that we were in it. The U.S. women, we're good at walking in the middle of the race, so that was really our game plan."
Buck was a First Team All-Ivy League selection in 2018, two-time First Team All-Region selection by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (2017 and 2018), and was selected to the Pocock Second Team All-America squad during her Columbia career. The Nyack, N.Y. native is a two-time Olympian.
Melvin delivered a breakthrough performance in Amsterdam, becoming the first U.S. men's single sculler to reach a World Championship A Final since James Koven won the event in 1997.
In the A Final, Melvin settled into sixth place early before making his move through the second half of the race. He climbed to fourth by the 1,500-meter mark and continued to challenge Norway for the bronze medal. The two boats raced virtually even through the final strokes, with Norway edging Melvin for third by just 0.11 seconds.
Melvin crossed the finish line in fourth in 6:44.14, marking the best U.S. finish in the men's single sculls at the World Championships in 29 years. Germany's Oliver Zeidler captured the gold medal.
In 2019, Melvin was the USRowing U23 Male Athlete of the Year and won the U23 World Rowing Championship in single sculls.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia Rowing, follow @CULionsRowing on X and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com
About USRowing
USRowing is a nonprofit membership organization recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing selects, trains and manages the teams that represent the U.S. in international competition including the world championships, Pan American Games and Olympics. More than 75,000 individuals and 1,300 organizations strong, USRowing serves and promotes the sport on all levels of competition. USRowing membership reflects the spectrum of American rowers- juniors, collegians, masters and those who row for recreation, competition or fitness.
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