Wisconsin men’s rowing adds 15 for the 2017-18 season
September 06, 2017 | Men's Rowing
Fall semester begins Sept. 6 for the newest Badgers
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin men's rowing coach Chris Clark announced on Wednesday the addition of 15 student-athletes who will join the UW men's rowing program for the 2017-18 school year.
"We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2021 into Porter Boathouse," Clark stated. "These guys are a perfect cross section of what you'd want a freshman class to look like; big and competitive Midwestern boys with a couple talented athletes from around the country.
"Our focus with this class was not about finding the best high school rower, but the guys who have the most potential to become the best collegiate oarsmen. Over the past year-year and a half, these young men showed that they have the right attitude and foundation to accept the challenge. We are looking forward to seeing these athletes combined with the walk-ons from this fall's open houses."
Nicholas Anderson
"A complete animal and fierce competitor, and does it all with a huge smile. Nick will be the first guy to step up to the plate, but will also make sure his teammates aren't falling behind. Nick's energy and presence will be a force his class will rally around." – Assistant coach Lowell McNicholas
Matthew Bernard
"Matthew is going to bring the same focus and work ethic that we have seen from his older brother James, a rising senior. James became a key player in our varsity eight last year, and earned a spot in the U23 men's eight this summer, not because he was born to be there, but because of his commitment to improving and unremitting press. Expect to see the same approach with Matthew. Excited to see a little sibling rivalry play out as well." – Coach Clark
James Catalano
"Jimmy reminds me of some of the best coxswains we have had at Wisconsin. Clearly understands the stroke and technical aspects of the sport, but is also personable and humorous. There needs to be that balance to connect and support your teammates. Jimmy's class will be in good hands with him at the helm." – Coach McNicholas
David Espino
"David's internal focus on what he can do to contribute is pretty unique for a young adult. In his own words: 'forgetting about other teams and worrying about you,' is exactly the mentality we need from our coxswains." – Assistant coach Beau Hoopman
Paul Dustman
"It's not uncommon for a coach or parent to make a pitch on behalf of a prospect, but Paul stood out because of the higher than normal number of contacts I received explaining exactly who he was. We are looking for pullers here at Wisconsin, and that was the common theme in all my conversations about Paul. Having that innate desire to push yourself is not something all athletes have, but something I am certain we won't have a problem with Paul this year." – Coach McNicholas
Nicholas Jablonski
"Nick is a promising recruit who is very new to the sport. If there has ever been a fighter who has come to Wisconsin, Nick is one of them. In addition to being a successful boxer, Nick has overcome some pretty intense battles in his personal life and has only become stronger because of that." – Coach Clark
Crispin Kenney
"While CJ has only been rowing for about a year, it's clear after watching him for only a few minutes how natural the stroke comes to him. Additionally, the intensity and tenacity he shows on a daily basis is going to be a huge asset for his class." – Coach Hoopman
Matthew Marcou
"We of course have a penchant for the local Madison guys. Matthew was a leader on his high school team Camp Randall Rowing Club, and we have no reason to believe he won't continue that here." – Coach Clark
Daniel McGarry
"Team culture can make or break a team. From the moment I met Dan, I knew he was the type of teammate we want around the boathouse. Earnest, amiable and coachable, Dan isn't going to miss a beat picking things up this fall." – Coach McNicholas
Ben Meyer
"Ben's eagerness and enthusiasm to take on a new challenge is palpable. A successful high school student athlete, we are looking forward to watching Ben develop into a collegiate oarsman." – Coach Hoopman
Paul Sagraves
"Paul is one of our most experienced recruits and is coming off a successful senior season at New Trier. We need our experienced frosh to help be guides and teachers to our novices and walk ons, and I can't think of a better candidate to help with that process." – Coach McNicholas
Caleb Sorenson
"We can't stress the importance of novice athletes enough. Caleb is the perfect example of that, a natural athlete with the strength and grit to attack any challenge. The dominance he has shown through high school sports is going to translate into college rowing well." – Coach Clark
Sam Williams
"Sam comes from a long line of rowers in his family, so the sport is in his blood. While new to the sport, Sam is a successful runner and skier, and is no stranger to the intensity and endurance that is required in rowing." – Coach Hoopman
Adam Wehking
"Coach McNicholas has been working on getting Adam to come to Wisconsin for nearly two years. It was clear from the day we met him his athletic potential, and that has only grown since. Every class has a ringer, a keystone that is at the core of the group, and I have no doubt that will be Adam." - Coach Clark
Tyler Bernstein
"Pound for pound, Tyler is probably the toughest guy coming in this class. We were immediately impressed at his performance at our one-day Introduction to Rowing Clinic last December, and were again thrilled to see how quickly he picked up the stroke at our Junior Men's summer camp this June." – Coach McNicholas
"We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2021 into Porter Boathouse," Clark stated. "These guys are a perfect cross section of what you'd want a freshman class to look like; big and competitive Midwestern boys with a couple talented athletes from around the country.
"Our focus with this class was not about finding the best high school rower, but the guys who have the most potential to become the best collegiate oarsmen. Over the past year-year and a half, these young men showed that they have the right attitude and foundation to accept the challenge. We are looking forward to seeing these athletes combined with the walk-ons from this fall's open houses."
Nicholas Anderson
"A complete animal and fierce competitor, and does it all with a huge smile. Nick will be the first guy to step up to the plate, but will also make sure his teammates aren't falling behind. Nick's energy and presence will be a force his class will rally around." – Assistant coach Lowell McNicholas
Matthew Bernard
"Matthew is going to bring the same focus and work ethic that we have seen from his older brother James, a rising senior. James became a key player in our varsity eight last year, and earned a spot in the U23 men's eight this summer, not because he was born to be there, but because of his commitment to improving and unremitting press. Expect to see the same approach with Matthew. Excited to see a little sibling rivalry play out as well." – Coach Clark
James Catalano
"Jimmy reminds me of some of the best coxswains we have had at Wisconsin. Clearly understands the stroke and technical aspects of the sport, but is also personable and humorous. There needs to be that balance to connect and support your teammates. Jimmy's class will be in good hands with him at the helm." – Coach McNicholas
David Espino
"David's internal focus on what he can do to contribute is pretty unique for a young adult. In his own words: 'forgetting about other teams and worrying about you,' is exactly the mentality we need from our coxswains." – Assistant coach Beau Hoopman
Paul Dustman
"It's not uncommon for a coach or parent to make a pitch on behalf of a prospect, but Paul stood out because of the higher than normal number of contacts I received explaining exactly who he was. We are looking for pullers here at Wisconsin, and that was the common theme in all my conversations about Paul. Having that innate desire to push yourself is not something all athletes have, but something I am certain we won't have a problem with Paul this year." – Coach McNicholas
Nicholas Jablonski
"Nick is a promising recruit who is very new to the sport. If there has ever been a fighter who has come to Wisconsin, Nick is one of them. In addition to being a successful boxer, Nick has overcome some pretty intense battles in his personal life and has only become stronger because of that." – Coach Clark
Crispin Kenney
"While CJ has only been rowing for about a year, it's clear after watching him for only a few minutes how natural the stroke comes to him. Additionally, the intensity and tenacity he shows on a daily basis is going to be a huge asset for his class." – Coach Hoopman
Matthew Marcou
"We of course have a penchant for the local Madison guys. Matthew was a leader on his high school team Camp Randall Rowing Club, and we have no reason to believe he won't continue that here." – Coach Clark
Daniel McGarry
"Team culture can make or break a team. From the moment I met Dan, I knew he was the type of teammate we want around the boathouse. Earnest, amiable and coachable, Dan isn't going to miss a beat picking things up this fall." – Coach McNicholas
Ben Meyer
"Ben's eagerness and enthusiasm to take on a new challenge is palpable. A successful high school student athlete, we are looking forward to watching Ben develop into a collegiate oarsman." – Coach Hoopman
Paul Sagraves
"Paul is one of our most experienced recruits and is coming off a successful senior season at New Trier. We need our experienced frosh to help be guides and teachers to our novices and walk ons, and I can't think of a better candidate to help with that process." – Coach McNicholas
Caleb Sorenson
"We can't stress the importance of novice athletes enough. Caleb is the perfect example of that, a natural athlete with the strength and grit to attack any challenge. The dominance he has shown through high school sports is going to translate into college rowing well." – Coach Clark
Sam Williams
"Sam comes from a long line of rowers in his family, so the sport is in his blood. While new to the sport, Sam is a successful runner and skier, and is no stranger to the intensity and endurance that is required in rowing." – Coach Hoopman
Adam Wehking
"Coach McNicholas has been working on getting Adam to come to Wisconsin for nearly two years. It was clear from the day we met him his athletic potential, and that has only grown since. Every class has a ringer, a keystone that is at the core of the group, and I have no doubt that will be Adam." - Coach Clark
Tyler Bernstein
"Pound for pound, Tyler is probably the toughest guy coming in this class. We were immediately impressed at his performance at our one-day Introduction to Rowing Clinic last December, and were again thrilled to see how quickly he picked up the stroke at our Junior Men's summer camp this June." – Coach McNicholas
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