Claire Gordon chose a racing shell over a graduation cap.

The West Seattle High School Class of 2026 senior missed her own graduation ceremony on June 17 to race with Green Lake Crew's Women's Youth 8+ at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida. Her boat finished sixth in the A final, her mother Stephanie Jordan reported to the West Seattle Blog.

Gordon and her crew of nine reached the championship final at Nathan Benderson Park after winning the Northwest Youth Regional Championship in May, advancing through time trials, and placing third in their semifinal during the June 11–14 event. They raced in triple-digit heat, 90-percent humidity, and on a course that is home to actual alligators.

The Green Lake women are now in England training for the Henley Royal Regatta, which runs Tuesday, June 30, through Sunday, July 5. They will compete in the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, the junior women's eights event on the Thames.

"They are excited to test themselves against some of the best junior boats in the world," Jordan told the West Seattle Blog.

Gordon started rowing in middle school after her older brother William, also a Green Lake alum, encouraged her to try it. At 14, she won a gold medal in the U17 Women's 4+ at the 2023 USRowing Summer National Championships. This season, the Green Lake Women's Youth 8+ also won the Husky Open and Head of the Lake regattas before their run at nationals.

Green Lake Crew operates through Seattle Parks and Recreation at the Green Lake Small Craft Center on the southwest shore of Green Lake. The program, chartered in 1947 and open to girls since 1963, draws athletes from schools across the city.

Mount Baker Crew runs alongside it as the other Parks-operated rowing program.

Gordon will row for the University of Washington women's team starting this fall. Junior racing at Henley begins Tuesday, June 30, with finals on Sunday, July 5.