A Warwick Valley Central School District student is bringing national-level recognition back home after an impressive showing at one of the sport’s most competitive events.
Stephan Kitar, a Warwick Valley High School sophomore and captain of the WVHS boy’s rowing team, competed last weekend at the National Indoor Rowing Championship in Chattanooga, TN earning gold, silver, and bronze medals against top youth rowers from across the country.
Just 15 years old at the time of competition, Kitar raced in three demanding events in Youth 17 Division — the 2,000-meter, 1-minute, and 500-meter races — facing athletes representing established rowing programs from multiple states.
In the 2,000-meter event, considered the sport’s ultimate test of endurance and mental toughness, Kitar secured bronze, finishing behind a home-state Tennessee competitor who took gold and a Louisiana athlete who claimed silver.
Kitar’s strongest showing came in the 1-minute sprint, where explosive power is key. He emerged victorious, outpacing the second- and third-place finishers by three and five meters, respectively, to earn the Gold medal.
Stephan’s impressive performance was further validated once results from all official host sites — including Tacoma, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Chicago, and Pittsburgh — were finalized. After a full day of racing held across five championship locations, Kitar finished second on the U17 leaderboard of the 2026 USRowing Indoor National Championships for that event, placing the Warwick Valley High School sophomore among the top youth indoor rowers in the country. The official standings can be viewed at: https://usrowing.regatta.time-team.com/view/usrowing-indoor/2026/events
While many competitors representing large rowing clubs were strategically placed in select events, Stephan competed in every individual race offered, sitting out only the relay. He was the sole athlete representing the Warwick Valley Central School District, a demanding schedule that tested both endurance and recovery as the competition progressed. By the final events, the cumulative effort was evident — a reality of racing at the national level rather than a limitation.
Still, Stephan added another medal in the 500-meter event, completing a podium sweep that sent him home to Warwick with three national medals. During the race, Kitar delivered another standout performance, leading much of the event before being edged at the finish line by just three-tenths of a second, earning silver in one of the closest races of the meet.
Kitar’s performance reflects the steady growth of the Warwick Valley High School rowing program and the dedication of its athletes and coaches.
Stephan credited his coaches and teammates for preparing him to compete at that level.
“I’m really thankful for my coaches and everyone who’s helped build the rowing program at Warwick,” Stephan said. “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.”
Athletic excellence runs in the family. Stephan’s sister, Daria Kitar, currently a senior, was a member of the Warwick Valley High School girls volleyball team that captured the Section 9 Class AA championship and advanced through regional and state tournament play, last year.
Stephan’s national success marks an early milestone — and sets a high bar for what may come next, with multiple seasons still ahead of him. As a sophomore captain competing against older and more experienced athletes, Kitar’s results signal a promising future for Warwick rowing at the state and national levels — powered by committed coaching, growing participation, and athletes willing to test themselves on the national stage.
