FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason rowing junior Midori Galligan has been selected to attend US Rowing's 2025 U23 High-Performance Winter Camp. 

Galligan will travel to Chula Vista, Calif., this week for a five-day training camp that kicks off preparations for the 2025 U23 World Rowing Championships in Duisburg, Germany. The camp serves as a key step in the selection process for athletes aiming to earn a spot on the 2026 U23 National Team.

The invitation-only camp brings together the nation's top U23-eligible athletes for an immersive high-performance environment, featuring small-boat training, physiological testing, and athlete education. It provides a critical evaluation opportunity while exposing participants to national team standards and expectations as they progress through the U23 pathway.

This past summer, Galligan represented Team USA at the prestigious FISU World University Games in Germany, gaining her first taste of international competition. The junior spoke with GoMason.com about what the experience taught her, how it shaped her confidence as an athlete, and what she is most excited about as she prepares for the upcoming U23 High-Performance Winter Camp.

What was your experience like competing at the World University Games in Germany?
Competing at the World University Games in Germany was truly surreal. Representing the United States in any capacity is a dream for any athlete, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so this summer. The regatta was fast, highly competitive, and filled with an energy unlike anything I had ever experienced. Hearing the countries announced before my first international race is something I'll never forget. When they called "United States," it really hit me that it was us on the line, and that we were representing our country in that moment. I was able to race with pride rather than anxiety. Connecting with athletes from around the world added to the experience, and competing at such a high level sharpened my focus and motivation heading into my team's fall season and my own personal training.

What did you learn from that experience?
I learned to stop placing limits on myself, on my athletic ability, my confidence, and how far I believe I can go. Even though I've only been rowing for two years, this summer has showed me that progress and capability isn't defined by how long you've been doing something, but by how willing you are to learn and improve. Competing at that level proved that growth can happen quickly when you fully commit. It pushed me to believe in myself more, to trust my work, and to approach every opportunity with the mindset that I belong and that there's so much more ahead.

What are you looking forward to at the upcoming U23 High-Performance Winter Camp?
I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with some of the girls from this past summer, which is always exciting. I'm also excited for the opportunity to work with the U23 US Pathway Development coaches and train at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. I've never been to California, so that will be an experience on its own. Every practice session I'm learning more about the sport, and being able to do that alongside some of the top talent from across the country is something I'm especially looking forward to. I'm excited to be pushed outside my comfort zone and continue raising my standards as an athlete. This camp is an important step in my long-term development within the pathway to the USRowing U23 National Team.