TRAGIC LOSS: Kerry Grundlingh, right, competing in a race this spring for the Princeton University women’s open crew. Last weekend, rising junior Grundlingh ’27 died in a cycling accident after being struck by a car in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University women’s open crew won’t start training for the upcoming season until September, the program has already suffered a devastating loss as rising junior rower Kerry Grundlingh ’27 died last weekend in a cycling accident after being struck by a car in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Princeton women’s open head coach Lori Dauphiny expressed the sadness at the tragic loss.

“The world has lost an amazing young woman with the passing of Kerry Grundlingh,” said Dauphiny in a statement on the Princeton Athletics website. “She was an exceptional rower and student-athlete, and that is just the beginning of who Kerry was as a person. She leaves a legacy of her life lived as a tremendous daughter, sister, friend, and teammate who constantly gave the best of herself for the betterment of others in each and every daily interaction. All of us in the Princeton Rowing community send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Kerry’s parents, Debbie and Francois, as well as her brother, James, and all of her family and friends around the globe.”

In her two years rowing for the Tigers, Grundlingh was a two-time medalist at the Ivy League Championships and twice rowed at the NCAA Championships. In 2024, she was part of second varsity that took third at the Ivy regatta and then went on to finish sixth at the NCAA Championships. This past season, Grundlingh was part of the varsity eight that won gold at the Ivy regatta before winning the Petite Final at NCAAs to place seventh overall nationally.

Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack ’00 echoed Dauphiny’s thoughts.

“This is a shocking tragedy for the Grundlingh family, our Princeton Rowing community, and all at Princeton University,” said Mack as quoted on the Princeton Athletics website. “Kerry embraced everything that being a Princeton student-athlete entails as she competed on the water and thrived in the classroom. Most importantly, Kerry developed impactful relationships with friends, and teammates across campus and around the world. The hearts of everyone associated with Princeton Athletics are with Kerry’s family and friends, her teammates and coaches, and everyone who had the honor of knowing Kerry as we all grieve together.”