August 4, 2021

Bringing Competitive Fire to PU, Women’s National Team, McGarvie Reilly Inducted into NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame

JERSEY’S FINEST: Holly McGarvie Reilly, right, takes the ball upfield for the U.S. women’s national lacrosse team. Reilly, a 2009 Princeton alum who starred in lacrosse and field hockey for the Tigers, helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women’s World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario. Last month, Reilly was inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame. (Photo by John Strohsacker, provided courtesy of USA Lacrosse)

By Justin Feil

When Holly McGarvie Reilly started playing lacrosse on the very first team at Medford Memorial Middle School, she did not have Hall of Fame aspirations but she approached it as she has everything in her life.

“I’m a competitor,” said Reilly. “My parents really impressed on me the importance of a strong education and doing your best in whatever you’re doing.”

Reilly got hooked early on the new sport and excelled at it along with field hockey and winter track and field at Shawnee High School. The valedictorian at Shawnee, she won 10 varsity letters in a career that included a state track championship, All-State recognition in field hockey, and All-American acclaim in lacrosse before continuing with field hockey and lacrosse at nearby Princeton University.

At Princeton, she helped the Tigers win four Ivy League championships in field hockey as a star back in her fall seasons and during the spring won one Ivy title in lacrosse as a standout midfielder while earning Ivy Rookie of the Year and two-time All-American accolades. She helped the U.S. women’s national team win a pair of World Cup lacrosse gold medals in 2009 and 2013. Her achievements were recognized last month when she was inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster.

“It was really cool,” said Reilly. “I was very honored and surprised. I honestly didn’t know the process was ongoing. I was called by Peter O’Donnell and the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the foundation board and it was pretty awesome.” more

July 28, 2021

Making U.S. Olympic Fencing Squad as an Alternate, PU Alumna Van Brummen Ready to Contribute at Épée

TOGETHER IN TOKYO: Anna Van Brummen, right, and Kat Holmes display their intensity as they competed for the Princeton University women’s fencing team. Van Brummen ’17 is currently at the Tokyo Olympics as an alternate on the women’s épée team which also includes former Tiger teammate Holmes. Van Brummen, an NCAA individual épée champion at Princeton, was part of the bronze medal U.S. épée team at the World Cup in February, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the one-year delay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Photo by Beverly Schaefer, provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

Anna Van Brummen’s biggest challenge at the Tokyo Olympics is to remain ready for the United States women’s épée team competition.

It shouldn’t be a problem as the 2017 Princeton University graduate has spent the last five years preparing for this chance.

“I feel great about where I’m fencing,” said Van Brummen, a Houston, Texas, native who won the NCAA individual épée title in 2017, a first for the Tiger women’s program.

“And I feel great about where the rest of my team is fencing. I’m really excited. I have a really good feeling. I think we can do great.”

Van Brummen is an alternate on the women’s épée team which also includes former Princeton teammate Kat Holmes ’17. She didn’t compete in the individual women’s competition that was held July 23, but must be substituted in for one of the three épée spots when the team competition started on July 27.

“I don’t know when exactly,” said Van Brummen. “That’s my place. I’ll be subbed in at some point, I just don’t know when. It could be the gold medal bout, it could be any other bout, I just have to be ready.”

The team competition features nine bouts. While Van Brummen doesn’t expect to sub in for the anchor who would finish off the team competition, she knows she could be thrown in at any time.

“The challenges are just staying ready throughout the whole day,” said Van Brummen.

“So I have to be really ready and be really flexible. There are definitely times when they can be like, ‘We’ll put you in to push and make a last-ditch effort to score a lot of points.’ Or the opposite, maybe it’ll be, ‘Keep the advantage we have.’” more

Led by Water Polo Star Johnson, Rowers and Fencers, PU Athletes Off to Good Start at Tokyo Olympics

REACHING FOR GLORY: Ashleigh Johnson leaps to make a save during her career with the Princeton University women’s water polo team. Last weekend, Johnson ’17 helped the U.S. women’s water polo team get off to a 2-0 start in Group B pool play at the Tokyo Olympics. Johnson, who helped the U.S. take gold at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, made 15 saves as the Americans routed Japan 25-4 last Saturday in its opening contest. The U.S. defeated China 11-7 two days later and will look to keep rolling as it plays Hungary on Wednesday in its next Group B matchup. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After producing a dominant run to the gold medal in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, Ashleigh Johnson and the U.S. women’s water polo team picked up where they left off as they got into action at the Tokyo Olympics last weekend.

Former Princeton University star goalie Johnson and the U.S. routed Japan 25-4 last Saturday in the opening contest of Group B pool play.

Johnson, who became the first African American to make the U.S. Olympics women’s water polo team when she starred at Rio, finished with 15 saves before being pulled for the fourth period. The 25 goals tallied by the U.S. are the most it has scored since a 23-22 shootout victory over the Netherlands at Princeton for the 2019 Holiday Cup.

Two days later, Johnson and the U.S. overcame a 4-2 deficit against China and pulled away to an 11-7 victory. The U.S., which also won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, will look to keep rolling as it plays Hungary on Wednesday in its next Group B matchup.

Another former Princeton standout, Gevvie Stone ’07, enjoyed success on the water as she and partner Kristi Wagner rowed the U.S women’s double sculls to a spot in the A Final after rallying for a third-place finish in the A/B Semifinal on Saturday at the Sea Forest Waterway near Tokyo Bay.

Stone and Wagner were sixth at 500 meters of the semi but trailed Australia by just .17 seconds for fourth and France by .28 seconds for third at 1,000 meters. more

July 21, 2021

PU Rowing Legend Stone Heading to 3rd Olympics, Competing in Double Sculls after Medaling in Single

DOUBLE VISION: Gevvie Stone, front, along with Kristi Wagner row in the women’s double sculls for the U.S. national team. Former Princeton standout Stone ’07 and Wagner, who starred at Yale, will be competing in the double for the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics next week. (Photo by Ben Tufnell, Row 360, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

When Gevvie Stone earned a silver medal in the single sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics, it appeared to be the culmination of a storied rowing career.

Having starred for the Princeton University women’s open rowing program and helping the Tiger varsity 8 win a national title in 2006 and then moving to sculling and taking seventh in the single sculls at the 2012 London Olympics, Stone’s trip to the podium in Rio at age 31 seemed to be a fitting final chapter to her life on the water.

With Stone, a 2007 Princeton alum, having earned a medical degree from Tufts University in 2014 and done a year of residency in emergency medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, her career path after rowing was set.

But the pull of rowing brought her back to the water and Stone resumed training in 2018 with an eye toward making the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She came in second in the single at the U.S. trials for the 2019 World Championships and turned to the double sculls.

“You adapt or die,” said Stone. “I jumped in the double that spring with my training partner Cicely Madden and we finished fifth. It was a good learning experience for both of us.” more

After Frustrating Results in Olympic Debut at Rio Games, PU Fencing Alumna Holmes Hungry for Medals in Tokyo

MEDAL HUNT: Katherine Holmes displays the gold medal she earned for winning the individual epee at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Former Princeton University women’s fencing standout Holmes ’17 also helped the U.S. to gold in the team epee at the competition. Previously, she had helped the U.S. win the team epee at the 2018 World Championships. Next week, Holmes will be fencing for the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics in both epee competitions, hoping to add to her medal collection. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

While Princeton University fencing standout Kat Holmes was thrilled to compete in the epee in the 2016 Rio Olympics, she was left with a bitter taste in her mouth after the competition.

“My team and I lost in overtime for the medal round so we knew we had to go for another one,” said Holmes, who helped the U.S. place fifth in the team epee at Rio and took 25th herself in the individual competition.

Holmes returned to Princeton after the Olympics for the 2016-17 school year to compete in her senior season and earn her neuroscience degree. A native of Washington, D.C., Holmes ended up as a four-time All-American and All-Ivy League fencer during her Tiger career.

Staying in international competition, Holmes used that Olympic disappointment to fuel a gold medal performance in the team epee at the 2018 World Championships in Wuxi, China along with the Hurley sisters, Kelley and Courtney.

“I think before we knew that we could win gold but that really changed it to now we believed that we can,” said Holmes reflecting on the victory which saw her take the anchor role for the team. more

July 14, 2021

Working his Way Up Ladder for U.S. Rowing, PU Alum Mead Competing in Men’s 8 at Olympics

FOCUS ON TOKYO: Nick Mead focuses in on his training with the U.S. rowing program. Former Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowing star Mead ’17 was named to the United States Rowing Olympic Team and will row for the men’s 8 at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The rowing competition is scheduled for July 23-30 at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo. (Photo provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Justin Feil

Nick Mead headed to Hawaii last week, but it was far from a vacation.

The 2017 Princeton University graduate is in the final training phase with the United States Rowing Olympic Team men’s 8 that will compete in the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 25.

“I’m unbelievably excited,” said Mead, a former men’s heavyweight star rower for the Tigers. “Honestly, I’m very relieved. It was a pretty stressful year or so of uncertainty and the stress of selection.”

The Olympics were pushed back one year by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that meant one more year of training and the accompanying sacrifices before Mead and his teammates could start counting down the days until they rowed for gold.

“You take it day by day, just thinking about each day of training,” said Mead. “There’s definitely a building excitement though, like we only have a couple more days until we’re in Japan and in the Olympic Village. It makes you consider every little thing that you’re doing during the day.”

The sacrifices over the years run the gamut from the mundane to some difficult decisions. Mead walks on the shady side of the street to practice in Honolulu to ensure that he doesn’t get sunburnt. Before the weeklong camp in Hawaii, Mead was living in the Oakland, Calif., area, across the country from his family in the Philadelphia area and his girlfriend in New York. He’s been there since 2018, six months after he graduated from Princeton. For almost two weeks after graduation, when USRowing still had its national team training centered in Princeton, Mead slept on the floor of the Princeton University boathouse. more

Staying in Rowing after Stellar Princeton Career, Collins Heading to Olympics on U.S. Women’s 4

POWER STROKE: Claire Collins shows her form in training with the U.S. national program. Former Princeton University women’s open rowing star Collins ’19 was named to the United States Rowing Olympic Team and will row for the women’s coxless 4 later this month at the Tokyo Olympics. The rowing competition is slated for July 23-30 at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo. (Photo provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

After culminating a stellar career with the Princeton University women’s open rowing program in 2019 by being named a first-team All-American and helping the Tiger varsity 8 win the Ivy League crown, Claire Collins wasn’t ready to give up the sport.

“I was strong, I had some good times on the erg and we were getting some good results on the water,” said Collins, who was also named as the winner of the C. Otto von Keinbusch Award for Princeton’s top senior female athlete and was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year during her senior campaign.

“I was still enjoying it a lot. The national team would be training in Princeton so we would see the women here every once in a while. It was inspiring. You have to listen to your gut, it is an exciting opportunity but it is a big commitment. I was having a lot of fun with the sport and I had bigger goals that solidified. This is my next goal, this is what I want to do after college.”

Following her gut, Collins joined the U.S. program, staying around Lake Carnegie to work out of the Princeton Training Center.

But as Collins was getting used to the more intense training and making a push to earn a spot in the 2020 Olympics, the pandemic halted everything and she went home to McLean, Va.

The hiatus, though, turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Collins was recently selected to the United States Rowing Olympic Team and will row on the women’s coxless 4 later this month at the Tokyo Olympics. more

July 7, 2021

Making the Most of Extra Year of College Lacrosse, Former PU Star McCarthy Helped UNC Reach Final 4

EXTRA SPECIAL: Connor McCarthy heads upfield in a game this spring for the University of North Carolina men’s lacrosse team. Former Princeton University standout McCarthy, who was playing for UNC as a grad student, helped the Tar Heels reach the NCAA Final 4. Midfielder McCarthy tallied 14 goals this spring for UNC, including a game-winner in overtime against Rutgers in a 12-11 victory in the NCAA quarterfinals. (Photo provided courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

With the season on the line for the North Carolina men’s lacrosse team, Connor McCarthy received a pass from his left and wound up to shoot when he saw daylight ahead of him. Dancing forward, he over-handed a blast into the back of the net that sent UNC into the NCAA Final 4 with a 12-11 overtime win against Rutgers in a quarterfinal clash.

“I definitely have not had any experience like that, no game-winner or anything,” said midfielder McCarthy, a former Princeton University lax standout who was playing at UNC this spring as a grad student.

“To do it like that, with a game-winner in the NCAA tournament having not made the tournament ever was really special and to go out at the end with it was really special. That was a super surreal moment and really cool and I’ll never forget that.”

McCarthy would have loved to have had the same chance the year before as a senior at Princeton and felt the Tigers were in the midst of a special season when the COVID-19 pandemic ended that possibility. more

June 23, 2021

Trippas Making Most of Year Away from Princeton Track, Aiming to Make Australian Olympic Team in Steeplechase

CHASING A DREAM: Princeton University men’s track star Ed Trippas competes in a steeplechase race for the Tigers. Rising senior Trippas, a native of Sydney, Australia, is looking to earn a spot in the steeplechase on the Australian team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

Ed Trippas is bidding to become the second Princeton University steeplechaser in the last nine years to make an Olympic team.

Former Princeton standout Donn Cabral ’12 made the United States Olympic team at the close of his senior year and again in 2016, placing eighth in both ensuing Summer Olympics, and he continues to pursue a third berth. Trippas, for his part, is taking aim at a spot on his native Australian team before he returns to Princeton for his senior year.

“I can either go after a qualifying time or try to get a world ranking position, which is your best three performances,” explained Trippas. “Those are the two methods of qualifying.”

Trippas has taken some big steps over the last month to put himself in position to qualify. He ran 8:30.89 to win the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Music City Track Carnival in Nashville, Tenn., on June 4. The win at the bronze-level meet granted him 50 bonus points. Trippas had an even better time, a new personal record of 8:26.25, to place seventh at the Portland Track Festival on May 28.

“I was very pleased with it,” said Trippas. “It’s a lot of hard work that has started to pay off over the last few months. For it to start to come together and get a really good result, I was very pleased with that.”

The time was a move toward the minimum qualifying time standards for the Olympics of 8:22. That standard is far lower than the 8:29 mark that was required for the 2016 Olympic Games. Trippas has until the end of June to hit the time mark. Beyond that, the Tokyo Olympics will use the top 45 ranked steeplechasers to fill out the field. more

June 16, 2021

In Helping PU Women’s Lightweights Win IRA Title, Senior Captain Sanchez Excelled On and Off the Water

PULLING TOGETHER: Lauren Sanchez, center, enjoys the moment after a race for the Princeton University women’s lightweight varsity 8. Senior captain Sanchez helped the Princeton top boat place first in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship grand final earlier this month. (Photo by Ed Hewitt, Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University women’s lightweight varsity 8’s 26.3-second win over Wisconsin in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship grand final earlier this month might have looked easy, but the path there was anything but that for Lauren Sanchez and her teammates.

The lightweight team had several members of last year’s boat that was in position to go for a title in 2020 graduate and was missing others this season who took a gap year. The Tigers only had enough rowers to field an eight boat and a double scull boat. The small group of lightweight rowers on campus had to sustain fitness and training while undergoing regular weigh-ins despite the uncertainty that they would ever get to compete.

“Just going through that process without knowing if you’ll be able to race is challenging,” said Sanchez, a senior captain and a native of Medford, N.Y.

“Our team adopted a mentality that we were going to race. And if we didn’t, we were going to cross that bridge when we got there. But we put all our faith in that it would happen and would work out and we were going to train for something great.”

The Tigers didn’t find out until April that they would row this year, and didn’t get the OK for the IRA national championship regatta until just two weeks before it. Princeton overcame those hurdles and performed incredibly for a decisive win over Wisconsin in the final to capture its sixth national title, but first since 2003. more

Summer Men’s Hoops Returning for 32nd Season, Rebounding After Losing 2020 Campaign to COVID

RETURN ENGAGEMENT: Davon Black drives past a foe in 2019 action for the LoyalTees team in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Former Princeton High boys’ hoops standout Black helped LoyalTees win the league title in both 2018 and 2019. After taking a hiatus last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league returns to action next week for its 32nd season and LoyalTees will be back on court seeking a three-peat. The 2021 campaign tips off with a doubleheader at the Community Park courts on June 21.

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton Recreation Department had to cancel its Men’s Summer Basketball League last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Evan Moorhead vowed that it would return in 2021 and be “stronger than ever.”

True to his word, Moorhead, the assistant director of recreation and league commissioner, has the hoops circuit up and running for its 32nd season, featuring a lineup of eight teams with the action tipping off on the evening of June 21 with a doubleheader at the Community Park basketball courts.

“I wanted to be held accountable so here we are,” said Moorhead.

“I am very excited. If we had this conversation a week ago, I think we would have been at six teams but there were two teams who came together late. We would have run the league with six teams but eight is a good number.”

The process of getting the league back on court was arduous as Moorhead followed guidelines, consulting with the Princeton Health Department to get the necessary approvals as youth and high sports opened up before reaching out to gauge interest for the summer league.

“It has been a difficult year for everybody,” said Moorhead. “Once we got that OK is when I started to reach out to teams from the last few years and to see who was interested. That was really going to drive things. From there, if we had no interest we wouldn’t be having this conversation but there was enough interest there with some of the returning teams. As usually happens, I got some inquiries from some new teams that we were able to add.” more

June 9, 2021

PU Wrestling’s Jackson Battling on Two Fronts, Helping to Coach Tigers, Competing Internationally

Princeton University wrestling vs. Lehigh, Princeton, NJ, November 23, 2019

ACTION JACKSON: Nate Jackson exhorts one of his charges in his role as an assistant coach for the Princeton University wrestling team. In addition to coaching, Jackson, a former All-American wrestler at Indiana University, is competing at freestyle on an international level in a quest to be a world champion. He recently represented the U.S. at the Pan-American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, taking gold at 92 kg (202 pounds), and is competing in Poland this week at an UWW World Championships Ranking Series Event.

By Bill Alden

Nate Jackson is taking multitasking to a new level.

Jackson is an assistant coach for the Princeton University wrestling team, is competing at freestyle on an international level in a quest to be a world champion, and has a busy home life with his wife, Raychelle, and their four young children, ages 3-8.

Jackson, a two-time All American wrestler at Indiana University who turns 27 this August, lives by a simple philosophy as he juggles his many pursuits.

“‘Wherever you are, be there’ is something one of my Indiana coaches used to say,” said Jackson, who recently represented the U.S. at the Pan-American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, taking gold at 92 kg (202 pounds), and is competing in Poland this week at an UWW World Championships Ranking Series Event.

“If I am an athlete, I am going be training. When I leave the practice and come home, I am a father so I need to be all in there. When I step into the office, I am a coach so I need to do exactly what I am supposed to be doing there. That is the only way I can live.”

Excelling at both baseball and wrestling at Marian Catholic High, Jackson, a native of Crete, Ill., went all in on wrestling after his baseball coach insisted that he focus his efforts on the diamond year-round.

Joining a local wrestling club, the Harvey Park Twisters, Jackson started making a lot of progress on the mat.

“They have a lot of people who have won state titles and Big 10 championships,” said Jackson.  more

June 2, 2021

Despite Abbreviated Season, Limited Training, Princeton Rowers Excel in Nationals Competition

SHINING LIGHTS: Members of the Princeton University women’s lightweight varsity 8 enjoy the moment after they placed first in their grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta last Friday at Mercer Lake. The boat included Annie Anezakis, Isabelle Chandler, Lauren Sanchez, Kalena Blake, Sarah Polson, Lily Feinerman, Ashley Scott, Nathalie Verlinde, and Rebecca Mays. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University rowing programs had just a handful of regattas this spring as opposed to their usual slate of around eight weeks of regular season action culminated by the Eastern Sprints/Ivy League championships, the Tigers crews still excelled in national championship competition last weekend.

Taking part in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta last Friday at nearby Mercer Lake, the Princeton women’s lightweight varsity 8 provided a highlight as it won a national title.

Rowing in a two-boat grand final against Wisconsin, the Tigers covered the 2,000-meter course in 7:42.73, more than 26.3 seconds better than the Badgers.

Having seen his varsity 8 take second in the 2019 national final and third in both 2017 and 2018, the triumph was special for Princeton head coach Paul Rassam.

“It’s a bit bittersweet,” said Rassam as quoted on the PU Athletics website in reflecting on the top boat’s first national title since 2003. more

May 26, 2021

Tiger Men’s Heavyweight Crew Competing in IRAs, Focusing on Joy of Racing to Make Most of Opportunity

HEAVY DUTY: The Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 crew pulls hard in a race earlier this season. The top 8, along with the second and third varsity 8s ,will be competing in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta this weekend at Mercer Lake. (Photo by Ed Hewitt/Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

Greg Hughes doesn’t know what to expect when his Princeton University men’s heavyweight crew competes in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta this weekend at nearby Mercer Lake, and that’s OK.

“I don’t even know how to compare it, it is just so just different,” said Princeton head coach Hughes.

“Normally we would have seeding, and the seeding would come off the regular season and championship results. We would get a ranking nationally based on our regular season every week and then after the Eastern Sprints. There is no way to really seed it when people haven’t raced that much; there is not any way to cross reference.”

The IRA competition will using a different format this spring in view of the disruptions to competition resulting from the pandemic, featuring time trials and an 18-boat semifinal rather than the typical series of heats leading the semis and finals.

“The clock starts when you go through the end of the starting block, so you have the lane to yourself and you go,” said Hughes in assessing the time trial piece of the regatta.

“You are separated by 30-40 seconds, everyone is going single file down the course like a 1,900-meter head race. The top 18 of those boats will go to the semifinal so it will be three semis with six boats each. It will be the top two from each to the A final, the second two to the B final, and the third two to the C final.”

Adding to the uncertainty for Hughes is the fact that Princeton did not have any fall training or head races and the rowers did not get to work together in person until the students returned for spring semester.

The Tigers started training by doing ergometer work this February outside the boathouse in pods of 10 athletes. After braving a wintry month on the deck, the Tigers hit the water in singles in early March. They progressed to pairs after that, affording some fine-tuned rowing.

“It is incredible training; with national teams, that is normally what you would do,” explained Hughes of the pairs work. more

May 19, 2021

Although Most of 2020-21 Competition Canceled, PU Senior Athletes Still Had Much to Celebrate

CLASS ACT: Princeton University field hockey star Clara Roth makes a hit in a 2019 game. Last Thursday, senior Roth was named as the winner of the Otto von Kienbusch Award given to the top female senior athlete as Princeton Athletics held the Gary Walters ‘67 Princeton Varsity Club (PVC) Awards Banquet virtually. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although Princeton University teams saw no competition in the fall or winter seasons during the 2020-21 school year and had only a handful of meets, games, and regattas this spring, the school’s stellar group of senior athletes still achieved a lot over their careers.

Over the last four years, the members of the Class of 2021 helped the Tigers reach two NCAA Final 4s in field hockey, win ECACH titles in both men’s and women’s hockey, produce an undefeated football campaign in 2018, go 26-1 in women’s hoops in 2019-20, earn NCAA individual titles in fencing, make the NCAA tournament in men’s volleyball in 2019 for the first time since 1998, win the school’s first Ivy League title in wrestling since 1986, and make the podiums in a number of national rowing regattas, among many other accomplishments.

But more importantly than their athletic achievements, the seniors displayed a special resilience and character as they dealt with the crushing disappointment of having seasons wiped away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of reacting with anger, they made the best of the situation, inspiring coaches and teammates alike with the way they handled things. 

Last Thursday, the Princeton Athletics community came together to honor those seniors as it held the Gary Walters ‘67 Princeton Varsity Club (PVC) Awards Banquet virtually.

In a one-hour webcast, co-hosted by senior men’s volleyball player AJ Chen and senior field hockey standout Juliana Tornetta along with Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan ’91 that included some guest appearances from legendary Princeton athletes from the past, the school bestowed its annual awards recognizing athletic excellence, academic achievement, and service to the community.

Field hockey standout Clara Roth was named as the winner of the Otto von Kienbusch Award given to the top female senior athlete. Roth, a native of Schwetzingen, Germany, was a two-time All-American field hockey player who also earned three All-Ivy and All-Region selections. During her stellar junior season in 2019, which saw the Tigers reach the national championship game, Roth, a 5’8 striker, was named a Honda Sport Award Finalist, first-team All-America, Regional Player of the Year and first-team All-Ivy. She led all Ivy players in points and goals-per-game as she set career highs in both categories. As a sophomore, Roth earned her first All-America selection after being named the Ivy Offensive Player of the Year. She led the squad in goals (13), more than doubling her total from the year prior, and points (34). Roth is one of only 11 players in program history to record 100 career points, nabbing 35 goals, 31 assists. more

May 12, 2021

Slear Making the Most of Final PU Rowing Season, Setting Positive Tone for Tiger Men’s Lightweights

SEEING THE LIGHT: The Princeton University men’s lightweight crew shows its form as it defeated Temple in racing on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia on April 24. It marked the first regatta for the crew since competing in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta in June, 2019. Senior co-captain David Slear, the second rower from the coxswain in the photo, is looking to set a positive tone in final season rowing for the Tigers. (Photo by Ed Hewitt, Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

When David Slear returned to the Princeton University campus for his final semester, the senior men’s lightweight rower resumed a habit that he has maintained since high school.

It’s a habit that speaks to his leadership and commitment. Slear along with Marcus Jonas are captains for the Tiger men’s lightweight crew, and his example went a long way in demonstrating how to resume training this year.

“I can’t think of one day, not one practice since his freshman year, that David Slear has not shown up, that he’s not the very first guy down to the boathouse bay,” said Princeton head coach Marty Crotty. “He takes all the oars out and puts them down by the dock. Nobody told him to do that ever. We don’t remind him. He just does it.”

Slear likes to be early and he likes to be first. It started when he began rowing for the local Dallas United Crew program since his Highland Park (Texas) High didn’t have a team.

“I like being early,” said Slear. “I try to be the first or one of the first people down most days to start getting ready or get myself in practice mode. I’ve done that since high school. It’s always been something. I don’t like being there a minute before practice starts. I like to get there and get stuff ready. It makes me feel useful and contributing to making sure practice runs smoothly.” more

May 5, 2021

Former PHS Thrower Brennan Makes College Debut as PU Men’s Track Finally Up and Running in 2021

HAMMER TIME: Princeton University men’s track performer Paul Brennan displays his hammer throwing form in recent action. Sophomore Brennan, a former Princeton High standout, made his college debut this spring after the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic. He threw 189’4 in the Princeton Invitational on April 25 in his first collegiate competition. (Photo provided courtesy of PU’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

Paul Brennan did not have to travel far to get to Princeton University, but he did have to wait a long time to begin his outdoor track and field career.

Brennan, a 2019 graduate of Princeton High, was thrilled when the Tiger men’s track and field team was able to take advantage of reaching Phase 4 of the University’s COVID-19 protocols to return to play. Phase 4 allowed full competition, and Brennan and the PU men were able to compete in the Princeton Invitational on April 25 and at the Fast Times Before Finals at Rowan University on May 1.

“It’s definitely exciting for all of our guys,” said Brennan. “At least for my class, we haven’t had any outdoor competitions. Our first collegiate outdoor competition was last weekend. We’re almost like freshmen coming in. We’ve been training for over a year and a half trying to prepare for a season.”

The preparation paid off. At Rowan, sophomore Ibrahim Ayorinde ran 20.88 seconds to win the 200 meters in the second-fastest time in program history. Freshman Daniel Duncan was second in 21.06, the third-fastest time in school history. Duncan also recorded the third fastest time in program history in winning the 100 meters in 10.47 seconds after running a blazing 10.42 in the trials. Junior Taraje Whitfield won the 110 hurdles in 14.60 seconds and freshman William Doyle took the 400 in 48.05 seconds. Sophomore Ethan Reese set a new personal best of 1:51.69 for the 800 meters. Senior Kelton Chastulik won the shot put at 54’ 8½.

“It’s a real testimony to the desire our guys have,” said Princeton men’s head coach Fred Samara. “I think it’s what sets apart our team from other teams we compete against. These guys are so close to one another and the team spirit they have. They don’t care where they are, they’re going to train hard and compete and light it up, which they’re doing.”

Despite the topsy-turvy training over the last year, limited interaction on campus, and no outside competition ahead of time, the Tigers showed in a wave of performances just why the program is so excited to have its full team intact next year. Eighteen men took the year off from school and several others are training on their own while they take classes remotely. Those on campus like Brennan have gotten back into the swing of things after students were able to return to campus for the second semester and went through the phases of return to play. more

April 21, 2021

After Helping N.J. Girls’ Wrestling Gain a Foothold, Ayres Going to PU, Aiming to Grow Sport at Next Level

GOING TO THE MAT: Princeton High senior wrestling star Chloe Ayres enjoys the moment after she won the 114-pound New Jersey state girls’ wrestling title on April 10 at Phillipsburg High, joined by New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) representatives Howie O’Neal and Colleen Maguire near the mat. It was the third straight state crown for Ayres, who is headed to Princeton University this fall where she is looking to get a women’s club wrestling program off the ground. (Photo provided by Chloe Ayres)

By Justin Feil

Chloe Ayres was thrilled to win a third state wrestling title, but was even happier with the news that came a few days before it.

The Princeton High School senior was accepted to Princeton University, where she plans to continue wrestling.

“I would say probably getting into Princeton was bigger,” said Ayres.

“That’s been a goal of mine since fourth grade so it’s been a long time coming. The state title was definitely up there too.”

Ayres has a bigger platform in mind as she looks to the higher levels of wrestling. She will continue to develop her own wrestling, but also is fully invested in working toward opening Division I wrestling up for women to inspire young girls to take up the sport about which she’s so passionate. Opening up more opportunities for women to wrestle would be a bigger win than any on the mat.

“It’s definitely a process to develop women’s wrestling at that level,” said Ayres.

“It’s similar to how it was a process in New Jersey, maybe on a larger scale. But I think it’s undeniable that it’s going to happen at some point. It’s just a matter of time. With the growth you’ve seen in the state, you can be sure if we develop programs at the collegiate level, parents will be more likely to put their kids into this sport at a younger age and it’ll just grow high school wrestling as well and it’ll continue to build on each other. I have no doubt it’ll be happening. It’s just a matter of when.” more

April 14, 2021

PU Wrestler Merkin Competes at Olympic Trials, Gaining Lessons That Will Fuel Bid for 2024 Games

TRIAL BY FIRE: Princeton University wrestler Lenny Merkin gets pumped up with Sebby the Sloth, a mascot that he created, in the Utah Salt Flats. Earlier this month, Merkin competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, in the 67-kilogram Greco-Roman event. Senior Merkin fell 9-0 to Benjamin Peak in the first round and then lost 12-4 to Calvin Germinaro in a consolation match in his debut appearance at the event. (Photo provided courtesy of provided by Lenny Merkin)

By Justin Feil

Lenny Merkin culminated a rocky year by making his debut at the United States Olympic Trials in Greco Roman style wrestling.

The Princeton University senior was disappointed with an early exit after two matches at the Trials on April 2 held in Fort Worth, Texas, but is using it to fuel his desire to go for a spot in the next Olympics.

“Now that I got my foot in the door, I’m really optimistic about 2024,” said Merkin.

“I’ve seen the stage. I’ve competed with the best guys in the weight class. The guy who’s on the Olympic team, I had a really close match with the last time I wrestled him. He’s beaten me every time, but I think I’m finally starting to understand how to wrestle Greco on the senior level. Now is the perfect time for me to start working on the things that I’m missing. I think not qualifying is going to be my driving force for the following Olympics.”

Merkin is the only Tiger wrestler to qualify for this year’s Trials. Princeton University assistant coach Nate Jackson also qualified and competed at the Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, without winning an Olympic berth.

“It’s an important step in our process,” said Princeton University wrestling head coach Chris Ayres.

“It affirmed to me more than ever we need to get an Olympic gold medal to Princeton. That’s my goal. To have this step where we had two guys at the Trials, it made me more motivated to say we can do this thing.” more

March 31, 2021

Driven to Pursue Different Path Than Classmates, PU Golf Alum Harmeling Aiming to Make PGA Tour

SPOILS OF VICTORY: Former Princeton University men’s golf standout Evan Harmeling displays the trophy he earned for winning the Savannah Golf Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour last October. Harmeling ’12 is currently ranked 41st on the Korn Ferry money list with earnings of $146,374 as he looks to crack the top 25 and earn a spot on the PGA Tour next year. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

While many of his Princeton University classmates went into business, law, or medicine, Evan Harmeling was driven to pursue a different career path.

After an up-and-down career with the Princeton University men’s golf program, Harmeling ’12 decided to take a shot at the pro game.

“The interesting thing about golf is that it is all about what you shoot,” said Harmeling.

“There is no draft, there is no you have a lot of potential so we are going to take a shot on you and give you a chance. Everyone, except for the very few guys at the top of the college game who are getting some match sponsor exemptions, is starting from scratch. From that standpoint, college careers are not as important in terms of establishing your professional career.”

Over the last eight years, Harmeling, now 32, has scratched and clawed his way up to the Korn Ferry Tour, the development circuit that is one step below the PGA Tour.

Having won the Savannah Golf Championship last October, Harmeling is looking to work his way into the top 25 of the Korn Ferry money list and thereby earn PGA Tour status for next season. He currently ranks 41st on the Korn Ferry money list with earnings of $146,374.

Harmeling’s journey to the pro ranks began nearly 30 years ago, getting into the game at age 2 when his dad cut down some clubs for him.

As a grade schooler, Harmeling made his debut into competitive golf and enjoyed it right away.

“I played my first tournament when I was 10 or 11,” recalled Harmeling.

“It was on a par 3 course, Firefly, in Rhode Island. I remember that day, that first tournament, it is exciting. It is a different animal when you get a scorecard and you have got to post a score next to your name.”

Going to Phillips Academy for high school, Harmeling, a native of North Reading, Mass., started taking the game more seriously. He was named the Massachusetts Golf Association Junior Golfer of the Year in 2005 and was part of a twosome that won the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship in 2007. After graduating from Phillips, where he also played squash, Harmeling qualified for the 2007 U.S. Amateur Championship. more

March 24, 2021

After Senior Season for PU Men’s Hoops Canceled, Desrosiers Heading to Hawaii to Play as Grad Student

ALOHA HAWAII: Jerome Desrosiers dribbles upcourt during his career with the Princeton University men’s basketball team. Senior forward Desrosiers is heading west to finish his college hoops career, having committed to play in the 2021-22 season as a grad student for the University of Hawaii. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Jerome Desrosiers was struck by Eran Ganot’s goal to see his men’s basketball players happy at the University of Hawaii.

“That’s kind of how I lead my life,” said Desrosiers, a senior forward for the Princeton University men’s hoops squad, referring to the Hawaii head coach’s approach. “It related to me that way.”

When Desrosiers entered the transfer portal last semester, it was with an idea of finding a school where he could be happy playing one final season of college basketball after the Ivy League did not allow competition in his final year at Princeton. Desrosiers has finalized his commitment to Hawaii, where he will study either finance or marketing in his graduate season.

“The obvious reason is, it’s Hawaii,” said Desrosiers. “It’s not a bad place to go for an extra year.”

It’s more than the climate and scenery as Desrosiers believes he can help Hawaii, who ended the 2020-21 season with an 11-10 record (9-9 Big West). Desrosiers has been watching some of their games as he prepares to join the new team next winter. He’s also excited about how he can fit in their style.

“That’s one of the reasons why I decided to go there,” said Desrosiers, a 6’7, 230-pound native of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

“Their four man (power forward) touches the ball a lot. He makes a lot of decisions. The ball moves a lot, just like the offense at Princeton. They’re not afraid to shoot it. They’re aggressive on defense and offense. I consider myself versatile with my position. I play the four or five (center), sometimes the three (small forward) rarely. Their four man is someone that can do a lot of things. I feel the same way about my game. They felt the same way. That’s how I’m going to fit in the offense and defense. It was perfect really.” more

March 17, 2021

Aiming to Take Care of Some Unfinished Business, PU Alum Robertson Thriving for Duke Men’s Lax

LAX BROS: Phillip Robertson, right, stands at attention alongside his younger brother, Joe, before the start of Duke University men’s lacrosse game earlier this season. Former Princeton star Robertson is currently playing for Duke lax as a grad student on a fifth year of eligibility resulting from the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attackman Robertson has tallied five goals and two assists to help No. 2 Duke get off to an 8-0 start. (Photo provided by Duke’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

Phillip Robertson was part of something special last year with the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team.

Starring as a senior attackman, Robertson helped the Tigers get off to a 5-0 start and rise to No. 3 in the national rankings.

“We had a great senior class, we were extremely close,” said Robertson.

“As summer went on and going into the start of last year, we really tried as a group to buy in. We wanted to change things around. We had an extremely close-knit team our freshman year and we wanted to get that same kind of feel back.”

Just as Princeton was feeling like it could do some really special things in 2020, the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember going into the locker room, it was just really sad,” said Robertson, who tallied 13 goals in 2020 and ended his Princeton career with 67 goals and three assists.

“As the senior class, we knew that was probably it. We sent out the message that if the worst thing that ever happened in our lives was that our season got canceled, we have lived pretty blessed lives.”

This spring, Robertson is feeling blessed as he is taking care of some unfinished business, joining the Duke University men’s lacrosse team for a fifth year of eligibility resulting from the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the pandemic, getting to play with younger brother, Joe, a senior standout for the Blue Devils, and former Tiger teammate Michael Sowers. more

March 10, 2021

While Ivy Stance on Grad Student Eligibility Praised, PU Coaches See No Impact for Tiger Sports Programs

GOODBYE HUG: Members of the Princeton University field hockey team celebrate after scoring a goal in a 2-1 win over Virginia in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA tournament. Players in the Class of 2021 who competed for the squad along with all other Ivy League senior student-athletes were recently granted a one-time waiver by the league to compete as grad students for the same college where they received their undergraduate degree. The excitement over the change in policy is tempered at Princeton, which has no known students who will take advantage of the provision. The Tiger field hockey team, for example, has seven seniors on its roster and six of them will play as graduate students next year at other schools while the other has a job lined up. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Displaying a flexibility prompted by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ivy League announced in mid-February that senior student-athletes would be eligible to compete in 2021-22 as graduate students at the same university from which they receive their undergraduate degree.

Any excitement over the drastic reversal in the longstanding Ivy policy that prevented graduate students from competing is tempered at Princeton University, which has no known students who will take advantage of the provision.

“We had a group text letting them know that this announcement was coming,” said Princeton field hockey head coach Carla Tagliente.

“I had some private conversations with some of them on the side about the possibility and what it meant. Most are committed to play their grad year somewhere else.”

The announcement came via email to senior students. The Ivy League Council of Presidents will allow the one-time waiver just for next year. Their message noted “this change is a direct result of the pandemic and will not be available in future years.”

The announcement came more than a month after Princeton admission to graduate programs closed. The latest graduate school admissions date was January 4 for the German and Architecture programs. Princeton student-athletes would already have had to apply – and be accepted – in order to be able to take advantage of the athletic policy change. Other Ivy institutions may have later graduate school deadlines.

“I think for one year if it helps a few students, I don’t know how many will do it, but great,” said Princeton football head coach Bob Surace. “I don’t think we’re in a time to nitpick about imbalances. If a student can do it and they can come back for a year, let’s do it.” more

February 24, 2021

Surviving Grueling ECACH Series Against Quinnipiac Steeled Tiger Women’s Hockey for Historic Title Run

CAT FIGHT: Princeton University women’s hockey player Maggie Connors, right, gets pushed into the boards by a Quinnipiac defender last February during a best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series. The Tigers survived a grueling weekend against the Bobcats, cruising in game one, losing game two in overtime, and then prevailing in the decisive final game in a double overtime thriller. Buoyed by that hard-earned triumph, Princeton went on to defeat Clarkson 5-1 in the league semis and then rally for a 3-2 overtime win at top-ranked Cornell in the final to earn the program’s first-ever ECACH crown. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

A year ago, the final weekend of February turned out to be both a marathon and a springboard to history for the Princeton University women’s hockey team.

Rising to No. 6 in the national polls, Princeton was hosting Quinnipiac for a best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series starting on February 28 at venerable Hobey Baker Rink.

The Tigers were rolling, having gone 11-1-1 in their last 13 regal season games and they had swept Quinnipiac in two previous meetings in the 2019-20 campaign.

Opening the series, Princeton continued to sizzle, jumping out to a 4-1 lead in the first period on the way to a lopsided 5-1 victory in game one.

A day later, the Tigers went up 1-0 in the first period and seemed to be on track for a sweep of the underdog Bobcats.

But things turned dicey after that as Quinnipiac responded with two unanswered goals in the second period. The Tigers knotted the game at 2-2 late in the third period on a goal by senior star Carly Bullock. On the verge of being eliminated, the Bobcats pulled out a 3-2 win with a goal at 1:45 of the first overtime to force a decisive third game.

In the finale, Princeton scored twice to build a 2-0 advantage but Tiger sophomore star Sarah Filler sensed that the series was far from over.

“We knew we were going to get their best game, they are ranked 10 in the country,” said Fillier.

“I think arguably we play in the best league in the nation so we knew it was going to be a battle and we were excited to play this one.”

Sure enough, Quinnipiac refused to die, scoring two goals to force a second straight OT game.

In the first overtime, Princeton looked to finish off Quinnipiac, outshooting the Bobcats 16-6 but to no avail as the teams remained stalemated at 2-2.

In the break after the first extra period, Princeton team managers raided the refrigerator in the rink kitchen to microwave snacks to refuel the exhausted Tigers. more

February 10, 2021

Filling Void Left by Cancellation of Fall Season, Ivy League Products Enjoyed Banner Season in NFL

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: Members of the Princeton University football team celebrate with the Ivy League championship trophy after beating Penn 42-14 in the 2018 season finale to cap a perfect 10-0 season. While the Ivy League football season this past fall was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of former Ivy products enjoyed a banner season in the NFL. A quartet of Princeton alums, Stephen Carlson ’19, John Lovett ’19, Seth DeValve ’16, and Caraun Reid ’14, saw action this fall for NFL teams. On Sunday, Harvard alum Cameron Brate and former Penn standout Justin Watson helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last Sunday evening, tight end Cameron Brate made three receptions for 26 yards to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prevail in Super Bowl LV.

While Brate’s output will stand as a mere footnote in Tampa Bay’s 31-9 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs and the hoopla surrounding legendary quarterback Tom Brady earning his seventh Super Bowl title, the Harvard alum’s performance culminated a banner season for a number of Ivy League products competing and coaching in the NFL.

Although COVID-19 concerns resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 Ivy sports season, players and coaches with ties to the league gave its fans plenty of highlights to savor.

Stephen Carlson ’19 led the Princeton NFL contingent, seeing action in 18 games at tight end and on special teams for the Cleveland Browns as they made the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2002. Carlson made two key clutch plays down the stretch, recovering an onside kick in the waning moments of a 24-22 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers which clinched the playoff berth and then gathering in an onside kick to end a Pittsburgh rally when the teams met a week later in an AFC Wild Card contest. Over the course of the season, Carlson made one reception for 11 yards and had seven tackles on special teams. more