August 14, 2024

PU Lax Star Dora Going on Another International Jaunt, Playing for U.S. at Women’s U20 Worlds in Hong Kong

DORA THE EXPLORER: Haven Dora heads to goal this past spring in her sophomore season for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team. Star attacker Dora, who tallied 20 goals and team-high 49 assists in the 2024 campaign for the Tigers, will be competing for Team USA in the Women’s U20 Championships from August 15-24 in Hong Kong, China.

By Justin Feil

She may not need a map, but Haven Dora is quite the explorer.

Dora was in Italy on the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team’s overseas trip last fall, just months after traveling to London. Now lacrosse will take her to Hong Kong, China, to compete for Team USA in the Women’s U20 Championships from August 15-24.

“It’s really exciting,” said Dora, who will be a junior at Princeton this fall. “I’m honored to be on the team and represent the USA. I think it’ll be really fun to be able to play with a lot of the players that we play against in college and that I’ve played with growing up. I think it’ll be a really awesome experience to go over to Hong Kong and compete against all the other countries.” more

Capping Historic Run for PU Olympians at Paris Games, Rowing Gold Medalist Mead Serves as U.S. Flag Bearer

FLAG DAY: Nick Mead competing for the U.S. men’s four this spring. Former Princeton University rowing standout Mead ’17 helped the U.S. boat take gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It marked the first time the Americans had won the event since the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Mead was later named as one of the two flag bearers for Team USA at the Closing Ceremony along with nine-time Olympic gold medalist women’s swimming star Katie Ledecky. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

Capping a historic run at the Paris 2024 Olympics for current and former Princeton University athletes, U.S. rowing star and gold medalist in the men’s four, Nick Mead ’17, served as one of the two flag bearers for Team USA at the Closing Ceremony of the Games last Sunday.

Mead was joined by nine-time Olympic gold medalist women’s swimming star Katie Ledecky leading Team USA into Stade de France to close out a memorable Games. more

Combining Depth, Strong Work Ethic, Focus on Fun, CP Bluefish Produce Another Dominant Campaign

SOCKING IT TO THEM: Natan Wysocki competes in a meet earlier this summer for the Community Park Bluefish swim team. Wysocki helped the Bluefish place first in the team standings at the Princeton-Area Swimming and Diving Association (PASDA) championship meet last month. Wysocki finished first in the 50-yard freestyle and second in the 50 backstroke at the meet. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kelsey Schwimmer saw a greater intensity around the Community Park Bluefish swim team this summer than in the past.

“One of the things that stood out to me was how much participation and involvement we had,” said Bluefish co-head coach Schwimmer. “It is always pretty high, but we were seeing huge turnouts at our morning practices. Usually that first hour is a little less well attended because it is earlier, but it was full every single day. I think that really just goes to show how hard our coaching staff was working and how much the kids were enjoying it and excited to come out and swim and be with their friends.” more

After Excelling as a 4-Year Starter for PDS Girls’ Soccer, Salzano is Aiming to Make Similar Impact for Monmouth

BALLHAWK: Adriana Salzano, left, controls the ball in a game last fall during her senior season for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team. Salzano, who helped PDS win the first New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A title in program history in 2023, is currently in preseason training with the Monmouth University women’s soccer team. She is looking to make an immediate impact when the Hawks play at Temple on August 15 in their season opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Adriana Salzano emerged as a star right away during freshmen season for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team in 2020, scoring a team-high nine goals as the Panthers went 10-1 in a season curtailed by COVID-19 concerns.

This fall, Salzano is aiming to be a major contributor from the outset as she starts her career with the Monmouth University women’s soccer team.

“I definitely want to come in there and make an impact as early as possible just like I did in my freshman year in high school,” said Salzano, who started preseason training earlier this month as the Hawks prepare for their season opener at Temple on August 15. “I went into PDS, I had a goal to start and help the team in any way that I could. That is my same goal for Monmouth. Another big one is that I want to be the CAA (Coastal Athletic Association) Rookie of the Year. I know it is a big one to reach for but if I work hard, there is no limit to that.” more

Coming Up Big in His One Season for PHS Boys’ Soccer, Carusone Primed for Debut with Rochester Men’s Program

ROCK ON: Pasquale Carusone, right, goes after the ball last fall in his senior season for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team. Carusone scored a team-high 28 goals last season to help PHS win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship. Carusone is heading to the University of Rochester this week to start preseason train for his freshman campaign with Yellowjacket men’s soccer team. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

A dream is coming true for Pasquale Carusone this week as he starts preseason training for his freshman season with University of Rochester men’s soccer team.

For Carusone, who starred last fall as the Princeton High boys’ soccer team won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship, his rise up the ladder in the sport has been motivated by the goal of someday being a college player.

“I feel like playing in college is really important for me,” said Carusone, noting that he started shooting for that when he got into the game as a youngster. “When I played the sport, it was always to move to the next level. I started at PSA (Princeton Soccer Academy) and then my dad said if you want to take it to the next level, you should go to PDA (Players Development Academy). I moved to PDA and worked my way up to the MLS Next team. That was probably the best spot to get recruited at. I got my looks and stuff like that.” more

August 7, 2024

PU Women’s Lax Star MacDonald Motivated by Snub, Primed to Make Debut for Canada Squad in U20 Worlds

WORLD CLASS: Jami MacDonald prepares to unload the ball in a game this spring for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team. Rising Tiger junior MacDonald will be playing for Canada in the upcoming U20 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship, which is taking place from August 15-24 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Justin Feil

Jami MacDonald’s fuel to play in the U20 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship was triggered five years ago when she wasn’t invited to try out for Team Canada.

“I just remember having this goal grow after I didn’t make it when I didn’t get invited,” said MacDonald. “I had this goal I’m going to make it next time.”

When it was last contested in 2019, it was still at the U19 level and MacDonald was just a freshman in high school. The Georgetown, Ontario, native hadn’t yet transferred to the Hotchkiss School (Conn.), where she would excel for three years before following her older brother, men’s lax star Mikey, to Princeton University. After two strong seasons with the Tigers, she will have her first chance to represent Canada in the U20 World Championships in Hong Kong, China, from August 15-24.

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PU Olympians Enjoy Gold Rush at Paris Olympics as Rowers, Fencers Produce Historic Performances

GOLDEN TOUCH: Maia Weintraub, right, celebrates with a teammate during the 2022 Ivy League Championships. Last Thursday, rising Tiger junior Weintraub had reason to celebrate as she helped the U.S. women’s foil team win a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Weintraub, designated as the alternate for the U.S. squad, stepped in the gold medal match and won both of her bouts as the U.S. defeated Italy 45-39. Weintraub is the first Princetonian to win a fencing gold medal. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Led by some historic performances from rowers and fencers, several former and current Princeton University standout athletes enjoyed a gold rush last week at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Former women’s open rowing star Hannah Scott ’21 started the Tiger gold rush last Wednesday as she helped Great Britain win the A final in the women’s quad sculls.

The British crew clocked a winning time of 6:16.31 over the 2,000-meter course at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, just edging runner-up Netherlands, which came in at 6:16.46.

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PHS Boys’ Soccer Community Expresses Joy, Relief as Former Star Gershkovich Released from Russian Prison

BREAKING NEWS: Former Princeton High boys’ soccer head coach Wayne Sutcliffe does a TV interview last Thursday at Conte’s. Sutcliffe was giving his thoughts on the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, a former PHS soccer standout, from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap.

By Bill Alden

When Wayne Sutcliffe woke up last Thursday, he had no idea that he would be spending the afternoon doing TV interviews.

But early that morning, former Princeton High boys’ soccer head coach Sutcliffe got news he had been waiting to hear for months, learning that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, a former PHS soccer standout, was being released from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap after being confined since March 2023.

“I found out indirectly on a Twitter post from someone who was connected at the New York Times,” said Sutcliffe. “It was absolute sheer joy, excitement, relief. Hours later local media sources, TV from New York and Philly, were reaching out to me and the admin at Princeton High School.”

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Princeton Supply Utilizes Stifling Defense, Hits Key Shots, Sweeping Lob City in Summer Hoops Title Series, Going 12-0

ENCORE PERFORMANCE: Members of the Princeton Supply team celebrate after they topped Lob City 42-26 last Wednesday at the Community Park courts to sweep the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. It marked the second straight league title for Princeton Supply, who went 12-0 this summer. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Recreation Department)

By Bill Alden

After Princeton Supply won ugly with a lackluster 41-39 victory over Lob City in the opener of the best-of-three championship series of the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League, Troy Jones and his teammates were determined to produce a sharper performance in game two.

“We knew we didn’t shoot particularly well out here on Monday, it was probably our worst game of the season,” said Jones, explaining the team’s mindset coming into the contest last Wednesday night at the Community Park courts. “We all talked after the game, we knew we played a bad game. It happens but we still won. Coming in today, it was we know how to play basketball. We know how to win so we came with the mindset of forget Monday.” more

With Stentz Celebrating Special Bond with Moorhead, Duo Goes Into Summer Hoops Hall of Fame Together

FAMED DUO: Ben Stentz, left, and Evan Moorhead are all smiles after they were both inducted into the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League’s Hall of Fame last Wednesday evening at the Community Park courts. Stentz served as the commissioner of the summer hoops league for 15 years and became the executive director of the Rec Department. Moorhead succeeded him in both roles and still holds those positions. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Recreation Department)

By Bill Alden

It was an idea hatched by Ben Stentz and Evan Moorhead in 2008 over some pizza and beer at Conte’s.

Brainstorming over ways to best celebrate the 20th season of the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League, Stentz suggested creating a league Hall of Fame. more

July 31, 2024

PU Grad Chamberlain Takes Long Road to Olympic Debut, Set to Compete for U.S. Women’s Saber Team at Paris Games

OH MAIA: Maia Chamberlain shouts for joy after a win during her Princeton University fencing career. Chamberlain ’22 will be making her Olympic debut as she competes for the U.S. women’s saber team this week in the Paris Games. The women’s saber team event is scheduled for August 1 at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Competing in her first national fencing competition as a 9-year-old, Maia Chamberlain was a bit spooked by the cacophony of hollering she encountered at the San Jose Convention Center.

“Fencing is like a whole other ballgame, you don’t realize how much people scream in fencing; it is a very loud sport,” said Chamberlain. “I walked in and the whole venue was just like people screaming their heads off for the touch. The first thought I had walking in there was, ‘I am in a murder house?’ It feels like people are killing each other, that is what it sounds like.”

Undeterred, Chamberlain killed it in the competition, taking third in the U-10 saber in a harbinger of things to come. Over the years, Chamberlain moved up the national ladder, excelling in national competitions and placing second in U20 women’s saber at the 2016 Junior World Cup.

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PU Rowing Alums Roll Into Medal Contention In Opening Weekend of Paris 2024 Olympics

FAB FOUR: Former Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowing star Nick Mead 17, far left, competes in the U.S. men’s four. Last Sunday, Mead helped the four place first in its opening heat at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The U.S. will go for a gold medal as it competes in the A final on August 1 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

As the Paris 2024 Olympics got underway last weekend, Princeton University rowing alums put themselves in medal contention with a number of superb performances.

Last Sunday, Nick Mead ’17 helped the U.S four win its opening heat and advance to the A final on August 1 as it earned a shot at a medal. Rowing from the bow seat, Mead helped the boat post a winning time of 6:04.95 over the 2,000-meter course at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Anther Tiger alum, Timothy Masters ’15, rowed for the Australian four that took second in the same heat as it also put itself in position to compete for a spot on the podium. more

After Injury-Marred Debut Season for Amherst Women’s Lax, PHS Grad Becker Emerged as Key Playmaker for Mammoths

MAMMOTH PROGRESS: Kate Becker heads upfield in 2022 during her senior season for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team. Becker has continued her lacrosse career at the next level for the Amherst College women’s program and emerged as a key playmaker for the Mammoths this spring. Attacker Becker tallied 18 goals and a team-high 17 assists in her sophomore campaign to help Amherst go 8-8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After being slowed by injury in her debut campaign for the Amherst College women’s lacrosse team in 2023, Kate Becker got up to speed this spring.

Former Princeton High standout Becker tallied 18 goals and a team-high 17 assists in her sophomore season to help the Mammoths go 8-8. more

Starring on International Stage in U18 European Tourney, Hun Baseball’s Kraemer Helped Great Britain Place 4th

BRIT BALL: Will Kraemer celebrates after getting a hit for Great Britain in the U18 Baseball European Championship held earlier this month in Regensburg, Germany. Rising Hun School senior Kraemer batted .429 with nine hits in 21 at-bats, four doubles, seven runs, and four RBIs in the tourney to help Great Britain finish fourth in the competition. (Phot provided courtesy of Derrick Kraemer)

By Bill Alden

Will Kraemer culminated his junior season for the Hun School baseball team this May by helping the squad win the Mercer County Tournament title at the Trenton Thunder Stadium and Prep A state championship on its home diamond.

In July, Kraemer found himself competing for another title some 4,000 miles away from the Princeton area as he played for Great Britain in the U18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg, Germany. more

Princeton Supply Displays its Championship Pedigree, Edging Lob City in Opener of Summer Hoops Title Series

SOARING TO VICTORY: Peter Sorber of Princeton Supply (blue shirt) soars to the hoop Monday night in the opener of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Sorber contributed seven points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots to help top-seeded Princeton Supply edge third-seeded Lob City 41-39. Princeton Supply, now 11-0, will go for its second straight league title as it faces Lob City (7-4) in game two on July 31 with the third game, if necessary, slated for August 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Cruising to an undefeated record as it goes for a title repeat, Princeton Supply found itself in a battle with Lob City last Monday in the opener of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.

With its offense sputtering, top-seeded Princeton Supply trailed third-seeded Lob City early in the second half at the Community Park courts. more

July 24, 2024

Getting Inspiration, Big Assist from Younger Sister, PU Alumna Reelick Rowing in U.S. 4 at Olympics

RETURNING TO THE FRAY: Kelsey Reelick, center, competes in the U.S. women’s 4 earlier this year. Reelick, a 2014 Princeton grad and former Tiger women’s open crew star, will be rowing in the U.S. 4 at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. After taking a four-year hiatus from the sport, Reelick returned to rowing to join the U.S. program in 2018 and worked her way up the ranks. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

For Kelsey Reelick, earning a spot on the U.S. rowing team for the Paris 2024 Olympics turned out to be a sister act.

Former Princeton University women’s open rowing star Reelick ’14 joined the U.S. program in 2018 after four years in the working world, inspired by the success of younger sister, Erin, also a Tiger rowing standout, on the national stage. more

Exceeding Expectations in Move to Women’s Pro Soccer, Former PU Standout Curry Making Impact for Angel City

MAKING STRIDES: Madison Curry warms up before a recent game with Angel City Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWASL). Recently graduated Princeton University women’s soccer star defender Curry has made a solid debut for the club this season, playing in 14 games, including making 13 starts. (Photo provided courtesy of Angel City Football Club)

By Justin Feil

Madison Curry hasn’t taken long to exceed expectations at the professional level.

Recently graduated Princeton University women’s soccer star Curry has become the fifth former Tigers player to compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after being selected by Angel City Football Club with the ninth pick of the fourth round. She has played 14 games, including making 13 starts, far more than she ever anticipated already this season.

“It’s been an absolute whirlwind,” said Curry. “I think if you were to ask my expectations at the beginning of the season, it would never be that I would be starting. I was thinking this year would just be a development year for me. To be on the field with the team has been absolutely incredible and incredibly hard in many ways. But I love this team, and I love going to practice every day.” more

Producing Superb Final Season for Williams Men’s Lax, PDS Alum Caputo Enjoyed Some Highlight Moments

SHOOTING STAR: Cal Caputo looks to unload the ball in action this spring during his senior season for the Williams College men’s lacrosse team. Former Princeton Day school standout Caputo led Williams in scoring this spring, tallying 61 points on 44 goals and 17 assists as the Ephs went 9-7. Star attacker Caputo totaled 161 points over his college career as he scored 120 goals with 41 assists. (Photo by Shiv Patel, provided courtesy of Williams College Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Cal Caputo thrust himself into the national spotlight for a day in April after producing a moment of brilliance for the Williams College men’s lacrosse team.

Tallying a flashy over-the-shoulder goal to give Williams a 10-9 triple overtime win against rival Middlebury on April 24, former Princeton Day School standout Caputo’s shot made the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Plays of the Day. more

Young Comes Up Big for YSU in Summer Men’s Hoops As It Tops Jefferson Plumbing to Make Playoff Semis

JAM SESSION: Freddy Young Jr. goes in for a dunk in action earlier this season in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Last Monday, Young scored 19 points to help second-seeded YSU defeat seventh-seeded Jefferson Plumbing 68-51 in a quarterfinal matchup as the league playoffs got underway. The quarterfinals will wrap up on July 24 when ninth-seeded SpeedPro plays top-seeded Princeton Supply and third-seeded Lob City faces sixth-seeded J. Majeski Foundation at the Community Park courts. The semifinals are slated for July 26 at the CP courts, starting at 7:30 p.m. The opener of the league’s best-of-three championship series is scheduled for July 29 at 8 p.m. at CP. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Freddy Young Jr. led the way as second-seeded YSU defeated seventh-seeded Jefferson Plumbing 68-51 last Monday in a quarterfinal matchup as the playoffs got underway in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.

Former Princeton Day School and Trenton Catholic standout guard Young tallied 19 points and another former PDS star, Ethan Garita, chipped in 15 as YSU improved to 7-2. Charlie Gillikin scored 20 points for Jefferson Plumbing in a losing cause. more

July 17, 2024

In Unlikely Path from Serbia to PU Women’s Water Polo, Sekulic Makes U.S. Squad for Paris 2024 Olympics

MAKING IT IN AMERICA: Princeton University women’s water polo star Jovana Sekulic poses with the U.S. flag. Rising junior Sekulic was recently named to the U.S. squad that will be competing at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Earning a spot in the Olympics culminates an unlikely journey for Sekulic, who grew up in Belgrade, Serbia, and moved to the U.S. when she was 11. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

A pair of Princeton University women’s water polo team products are on the United States team headed to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Superstar goalie Ashleigh Johnson ’17 is on her third Olympic team, and it’s no surprise that the three-time All-American out of Princeton is going again. more

After Taking Brief Hiatus from U.S. Rowing Program, PU Grad Mead Returns to Make Men’s 4 for Paris Games

NICK OF TIME: Nick Mead rows for the U.S. men’s 4 in recent action. Mead, a 2017 Princeton University alum and Tiger men’s heavyweight rowing star, will be competing on the 4 in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of USA Rowing)

By Bill Alden

Upon helping the U.S. men’s 8 boat take fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Nick Mead decided to take a hiatus from rowing.

“After Tokyo, they made a bunch of coaching changes, the performance director rolled over and basically the whole high performance system in the U.S. was completely different than it had been the last few years,” said Mead, a 2017 Princeton University alum and men’s heavyweight rowing star who helped the Tiger varsity 8 to a pair of bronze medals at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championships. “I moved back to the east coast and I didn’t know whether I was going to row again, especially not knowing who was on the coaching staff.” more

Making Instant Impact for Puerto Rico Men’s Hoops, PDS Grad Reed Headed to Paris 2024 Olympics

TICKET TO PARIS: Davon Reed celebrates after he helped Puerto Rico defeat Lithuania 79-68 in the FIBA (International Basketball Association) Olympic Qualifying Tournament final in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 10 to secure the final spot in the men’s hoops tournament in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Former Princeton Day School standout Reed scored five points with three rebounds and two steals in the final, and averaged 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds a game off the bench in the qualifying tournament as the Puerto Rico hoops squad earned its first appearance in the Olympics since 2004. (Photo provided by Davon Reed)

By Bill Alden

Davon Reed headed to the G-League Winter Showcase last December in Orlando, Fla., looking to play his way back into the NBA.

After stints with the Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers from 2017-23, former Princeton Day School standout Reed was primed to find a home in the league.

“I have played in a new city or new country every year in my career,” said Reed, who was chosen by the Suns in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft after scoring 1,343 points in his college career at Miami. “I have become a journeyman. I am looking for some stability with an NBA team in the near future.” more

Leaving Special Legacy for Christopher Newport Lax, PDS Alum Auslander Achieved Career Assists Record

HISTORIC RUN: Coby Auslander heads upfield this spring for the Christopher Newport University men’s lacrosse team. Former Princeton Day School star Auslander capped his Christopher Newport career by tallying 55 points on 22 goals and 33 assists as the Captains went 16-6 and advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Auslander graduated as the program’s all-time assists leader with 161. (Photo provided by Christopher Newport Athletics)

By Bill Alden

When Coby Auslander made his debut for the Christopher Newport University men’s lacrosse team in the spring of 2020, he wasn’t sure of how much of an impact he could make at the next level.

As an undersized 5’7, 150-pound midfielder, former Princeton Day School star Auslander was hoping to see the field as a freshman. Auslander achieved that goal and more, emerging as one of the team’s top playmakers, tallying 18 points on eight goals and 10 assists in a season curtailed to six games by the COVID-19 pandemic. more

July 10, 2024

Overcoming Back Injuries to Make Olympic Debut, PU Grad Kallfelz Rowing for U.S. at Paris Games

GOOD KALL: Emily Kallfelz competes in the U.S. women’s 4 in action this spring. Kallfelz, a 2019 Princeton grad, will be making her debut in the Olympics later this month when she rows in the 2024 Paris Games. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USA Rowing)

By Justin Feil

Emily Kallfelz had a great excuse to miss Princeton University Reunions in this May.

The 2019 Princeton graduate was in Lucerne, Switzerland, securing a spot in the U.S. women’s 4 boat to row in the Paris 2024 Olympics, no small achievement given her ups and downs over the last five years.  more

Making Debut for Carnegie Mellon Men’s Tennis, Former PHS Tennis Star Gu Fueled by Team Spirit

NET GAIN: Jonathan Gu prepares to hit a backhand in action this spring during his freshman season for the Carnegie Mellon University men’s tennis team. Former Princeton High star Gu posted a 9-7 overall record in singles and 1-3 in doubles during his debut campaign for the Tartans. (Photo provided courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University Athletics)

By Bill Alden

While Jonathan Gu struggled a bit individually as he started his college career with Carnegie Mellon University men’s tennis squad, he was buoyed by support from his teammates.

“I wasn’t playing too well in the fall, it was a new feeling playing college tennis and just being on a team environment,” said Gu, a former Princeton High standout who won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state singles title in 2022 and came in second a year later as a senior. “It is really different from high school where everybody is on a team but at the same time we all have our own responsibilities. In college, everybody is cheering as much as they can, everybody is really energized. In high school, it is more individual.” more