Athlete Ria Sribar preparing for the final weekend of Team Trials racing at OKC Riversport.
Photo by: Eric Francis
Montgomery, AL & Oklahoma City, OK — After two electrifying weekends of elite competition, the American Canoe Association proudly announces the 2025 Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross National Teams. These athletes earned their places during two weekends of Team Trials racing that coincided with the 2025 Pan American Championships in Montgomery, Alabama (March 21–23) and the ICF Ranking Race at OKC Riversport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (March 28–30).
The Pan American Championships marked the first major continental event of the season, bringing together top athletes from across the Americas. The U.S. athletes then delivered strong, consistent runs in Oklahoma City to secure their spots on the USA National Team.
2025 U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Senior National Team Selections
Women’s Kayak (WK1) – A Team
• Evy Leibfarth
• Ria Sribar
Men’s Kayak (MK1) – A Team
• Kaelin Friedenson
• Kyler James Long
• Tyler Westfall
Men’s Kayak (MK1) – B Team
• Jordan Sherman
• John Coleman Christie-Williams
Women’s Canoe (WC1) – A Team
• Evy Leibfarth
Men’s Canoe (MC1) – A Team
• Zachary Lokken
• Casey Eichfeld
• Nathaniel Francis
Women’s Kayak Cross (WX1) – A Team
• Evy Leibfarth
• Marcella Altman
• Ria Sribar
Women’s Kayak Cross (WX1) – B Team
• Sage Donnelly
• Carden Oetting
Men’s Kayak Cross (MX1) – A Team
• Kaelin Friedenson
• Kyler James Long
• Nikhil Nijhawan
Men’s Kayak Cross (MX1) – B Team
• Casey Eichfeld
• Nathaniel Francis
U23 National Team
WK1: Evy Leibfarth, Ria Sribar
MK1: Kaelin Friedenson, Kyler James Long, John Coleman Christie-Williams
WC1: Evy Leibfarth
MC1: Nathaniel Francis
WX1: Evy Leibfarth, Marcella Altman, Ria Sribar
MX1: Kaelin Friedenson, Kyler James Long, Nathaniel Francis
Junior National Team
WK1: Carden Oetting, Isabella Altman, Lucy Crino
WC1: Isabella Altman, Carden Oetting, Lucy Crino
MC1: Ian Lariche, Cody Lindemann
MK1: Wyatt Christie-Williams, Connar Haakenson, Nikhil Nijhawan
WX1: Carden Oetting, Isabella Altman, Olivia Long
MX1: Nikhil Nijhawan, Finnigan Blackburn, Isaac Long
Looking Ahead
These teams will represent the United States at the highest levels of competition at International Canoe Federation events throughout the 2025 season. With a mix of veteran leadership and rising stars, the U.S. is well-positioned to make a strong showing on the international stage.