PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's Fred W. Leonard Head Coach of Lightweight Crew,
Colin Farrell, has announced the program's list of recruits for the Class of 2022. These young men and women will arrive on campus as freshmen in August and join the program at that time.
"Our Lightweight Crew is getting a great addition next year when the class of 2022 arrives," said Farrell, who recently completed his fourth season overseeing the Quakers' lightweights. "This group is bringing experience, passion, and a real work ethic to the team, all of which I am eager to see in action. The entire team is excited to see this group come on campus in the fall!"
Penn recently completed another successful season under Farrell, the Varsity 8 taking third at the EARC Sprints to give the Quakers medals in that event in consecutive years for the first time since 1976-77. At the IRA National Championship Regatta, which concluded on June 3, the Red and Blue's Varsity 8 finished fourth overall.
Meet the Class of 2022
Name: Lachlan Cormie
Hometown: Vineyard Haven, Mass.
High School Team: Kent School/Deerfield Academy
Coach's Name: Eric Houston/Spencer Washburn
Rowing Highlights: 2017- Sat two seat of V8 and went undefeated in regular season, won Connecticut State Championships, Founders League Championships, won NEIRA's, and second place at NSRA's, Competed in Henley Royal Regatta's Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in June 2017, Competed at the Marlow International Regatta in England, Won Reading Town Regatta in England as part of varsity eight in six seat, Received Most Improved Oarsman Award, Placed fourth at Canadian Henley in the Men's U19 eight with CRI … 2016 - Stroked the second varsity eight (Kent School) to an undefeated season, won NEIRA's, and won NSRA?'s.
Personal: Son of Mary Budinger Cormie and Leigh Cormie … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it was the perfect fit for me academically and athletically. I wanted to study at one of the greatest universities in the world and work with world-renowned professors as well as compete at the highest level for rowing. Getting recruited to Penn was by far one of my greatest rowing accomplishments, and I'm extremely grateful to be a part of such an amazing program."
Why rowing? "What I love about rowing is how simplistic and intense it is at the same time. It's a beautiful and calm sport to the observer, but incredibly fierce and competitive to the rower. Rowing fosters amazing relationships that last a lifetime and instills a level of discipline that is unmatched by any other sport."
Favorite Pro Athlete: Mahé Drysdale
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Name: Lily Druker
Hometown: Newton, Mass.
High School: Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Club Program: Community Rowing Inc.
Coach's name: Will Congram
Rowing Highlights: Gold at Canadian Henley 2017 in Men's U19 4+ … Second place at Canadian Henley 2017 in Men's U19 8+ … Tied for first at Northeast Youth Champs 2017 in Men's 2V8+.
Personal: Daughter of Jodi Mackinnon and Neil Druker … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "Penn has a great balance of competitive athletics and excellent academics. I'm eager to get to know the city of Philadelphia and become part of the community."
Why rowing? "I love the type of people who choose to row. It attracts athletes who are detail oriented, strive for perfection, and are highly driven. It brings out the best in everyone."
Favorite pro athlete: P.K. Subban
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Name: Aleksandar Izda
Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
Club Program: Partizan Rowing Club
Coach's Name: Goran Todorovic
Rowing Highlights: 2016- National Champion in Single Scull, Balkan Vice Champion in Single Scull … 2017 national champion in Coxless Four and Coxed Eight … Third place at Balkan Championships in Coxless Four.
Personal: Son of Tatjana and Branislav Izda … Brother, Vladislav, rows at Oklahoma City University … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it is one of the best Universities in the World, with long tradition and lots of opportunities, which I believe will help me achieve my goals in life!"
Why Rowing? "I love rowing because it is one of the hardest sports, where your teammates become like your family, and because there is no better feeling then looking at your opponents back while you are beating them."
Favorite pro athlete: Novak Djokovic
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Name: Jorke Kooijenga
Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
High School: Cygnus Gymnasium
Club Program: R.V. Willem III
Coach's Name: Willem Jan de Widt
Rowing Highlights: Four-time national champion in Holland … Silver at the European Junior Championships … A finalist at Junior World Championships.
Personal: Son of Judith Kunst and Dirk Kooijenga … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "The thing I really like about Penn compared to other universities is the possibility to study at the highest level possible and to row at the highest level possible at the same time."
Why rowing? "What I most love about rowing is the feeling you get when a boat really runs, when you are in perfect synchronicity with your teammates. That moment is magical, it feels like effortless flying."
Favorite pro athlete: Robbie Manson
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Name: Julianna Langhorn
Hometown: Montclair, N.J.
High School: Montclair
Coach's Name: Jeremy Michalitsianos
Rowing Highlights: Two-time bronze medalist at Stotesbury Cup, 2015 and 2017 … Bronze medal at SRAA National Championships in 2017 … Won Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in 2017 … Sixth-place finish at the 53rd Head of the Charles.
Personal: Daughter of Alisa and Joseph Langhorn, both Penn alums … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn for its history, tradition, and academic excellence. I also race on the Schuylkill every weekend in the spring, so Philadelphia feels like home."
Why rowing? "My favorite part about rowing is how close-knit the community is. When you meet other rowers, you experience an immediate bond."
Favorite pro athlete: Steven Gerrard
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Name: Thomas Leichner
Hometown: Chestnut Hill, Pa.
High School: Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Coach's name: Chris McElroy
Personal: Son of Gretchen and Tom Leichner … Grandfather, Martin Strayer, wrestled at Penn State … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the rigorous and rewarding academic tradition, and to be a part of such a strong community in the city where I've grown up."
Why rowing? "I love rowing because it offers opportunities for competition and teamwork, motivating me to push limits while simultaneously appreciating the beautiful Schuylkill and other rivers."
Favorite pro athlete: Carson Wentz
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Name: Andrew Orner
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
High School: Darien
Club Program: Maritime Rowing Club
Coach's name: Dan Walsh
Rowing Highlights: Second in LM8+ at 2017 Northeast Regional Championship … 11th in LM8+ at 2017 Youth National Championship … Maritime Rowing Club Team Captain 2017-18.
Personal: Son of Margaret and David Orner … Older brother, David Jr., rows for Harvard's heavyweights … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "Penn offers an incredible blend of academic and athletic pursuits, as well as a strong, vibrant history."
Why Rowing? "I love the opportunity to improve every day, and I enjoy spending time on the water."
Favorite pro athlete: Manuel Neuer
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Name: Tomas Pinilla
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School: Ransom Everglades
Club Program: Miami International RowHouse
Coach's Name: Francisco Viacava
Rowing Highlights: Competing at Regionals and Scholastic Nationals.
Personal: Son of Lola Canas and Juan Carlos Pinilla … Father played rugby at Ecole Centrale Paris (France) … Sister, Ines, will row at MIT … Enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Why Penn? "It was perfect for me in every way, from academics to student life. When I visited, everything clicked and I fell in love with Penn."
Why rowing? "What I love the most about rowing is the team. There's always someone cheering you on and rowing through the races with you."
Favorite pro athlete: Rafael Nadal
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Name: Ethan Reichgut
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.
High School: Wilton
Club Program: Norwalk River Rowing Association
Coach's Name: Yuri Kolomiets
Rowing Highlights: Seventh at Youth Nationals in the 2- … Fifth at Club Nationals in the 2x.
Personal: Son of Rina and Mitchell Reichgut … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "Boathouse Row is one of the coolest places I've ever been. It's the center of rowing history, sandwiched between a quiet park and big city. It's amazing to call it my home for the next four years."
Why Rowing? "Rowing is an escape for me; no matter what's going on in my life, I can always turn to rowing to clear my head. Whenever I'm on the water, that's all I can think about."
Favorite pro athlete: Marshawn Lynch
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Name: Quinn Solberg
Hometown: Brunswick, Maine
High School: Brunswick
Club Program: Merrymeeting Community Rowing Association
Coach's Name: Anna Jordan
Rowing Highlights: Third in men's lightweight single at Textile River Regatta … Sixth in men's open-weight single at New England Championships … Third in men's open-weight single at the New Hampshire Championships.
Personal: Son of Christine and Troy Solberg … Father rowed for the Navy heavyweights … Enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn for its incredible location and campus. I fell in love with both the University and the city when I visited, and knew this would be the perfect home for me."
Why rowing? "I love rowing because it provides an opportunity to get away from the stresses and worries of whatever is going on in your life. Also, you get to see some pretty rad sunrises."
Favorite pro athlete: Brad Marchand
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Name: Ryan Teofilo
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: The Episcopal School
Club Program: Jacksonville Rowing Club
Coach's Name: Bob Schumacher
Rowing Highlights: First place at 2017 Head of the Hooch Youth in 1x … Fourth place in Youth 1x at 2017 Head of the Charles … Sixth place in Youth 2x at 2017 Youth Nationals.
Personal: Son of Joan and Solomon Teofilo … Cousin, Vi Teofilo, played football at Arizona State and currently plays for the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers … Enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it's the best university in America and it has an incredible lightweight rowing program."
Why rowing? "I love how rowing is work in, results out."
Favorite pro athlete: Hamish Bond
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Name: Neel Vallurupalli
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
High School: Clayton
Club Program: St. Louis Rowing Club
Coach's Name: Michael O'Gorman & Andrew Black
Rowing Highlights: Third Place 4+ 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships … Eight-time Midwest Junior Regional Championship medalist … First place 4+ 2016 Head of the Hooch … Current American record holder for the 100m 17-18 age lightweight erg.
Personal: Son of Aparna Abburi and Chakrapani Vallurupalli … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn: "I chose Penn because it offers incredible academic opportunities within the school and the city of Philadelphia. Also, I am excited to row for four more years on one of the top teams in the country alongside so many other intelligent, driven, and athletic people."
Why rowing? "I love that success in rowing is almost entirely dependent on the amount of hard work that is put into the sport. Not only does it take dedicated training to achieve physiological standards, but success also requires mental coordination to the whole body to move the boat as efficiently as possible."
Favorite Pro Athlete: Roger Federer
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Name: Jackson Wood
Hometown: Palo Alto, Calif.
High School: Palo Alto
Club Program: Norcal Crew
Coach's name: Nathan Walker
Rowing Highlights: First place at 2015 youth national championships in lightweight 8+ … First place at 2016 youth national championships in lightweight 4+ … Third place at 2017 Southwest Regional Championships in heavyweight 8+.
Personal: Sone of Sara and Bob Wood … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn? "There are so many great reasons to choose Penn, such as its social atmosphere, top-notch academics, and beautiful campus, but for me it ultimately came down to feeling like Penn was the right fit for me personally. In addition, rowing is a big part of my life, so finding a team with the right culture and coaches was equally as important as the school itself."
Why rowing? "I row for the moments when everything sets up perfectly. It's not a feeling that is enjoyed often, but it's indescribable when you're lucky enough to experience it and it keeps you coming back for more."
Favorite pro athlete: Jack Johnson
#FightOnPenn
