U23 Rowers on Campus

The Outdoor Center welcomes thirteen rowers to Great Hosmer for our U23 summer training program. Three boats, with six of these athletes, have qualified for the U23 World Championships and will be heading to Varese, Italy at the end of the July. Most of these thirteen student-athletes, coming from colleges across the country, are also currently competing at the US Rowing Summer National Championships on Lake Mercer in West Windsor, New Jersey. Here’s a look at this year’s GRP U23 summer roster.

Braeden Arthur

I am a rising junior at George Washington University studying political communications.

This is my first summer at Craftsbury and what excites me the most about training here is the ability to work closely with elite-level athletes in the process of making national teams.

My highlight from this past year was winning the ACRA championships in the GW 2V in Oakridge, TN.

Susan Cook

A rising senior at Boston University, I am studying behavior and health.

This is my first summer at Craftsbury, and I’m so excited to help the garden thrive! I love to see the food we grow used in the kitchen!

My season highlight was winning the Patriot League and BU going to NCAAs for the first time since 2014!

Isaac Levinger

I'm a rising junior at Bates, majoring in sociology. My best result from this past year was earning a medal at Head of the Charles with a 5th place finish in the Collegiate Eights - the shot you can see on the left. This is my first summer training with GRP, but I did do a week-long sculling camp four years ago.

It doesn't get much better for a college kid looking to row fast in the summer than having boats, meals and beds provided for you, with - most importantly - elite coaches who have a human first approach. Some work highlights have been chopping wood, learning how to garden, and cleaning the cafeteria.

Thomas Foltz

I’m in my senior year at Virginia Tech, majoring in chemistry with a minor in science, technology, and law.

I’m excited to be training for my 3rd summer at Craftsbury because I really appreciate both the physical training environment as well as the community provided by the athletes and coaches. This is the first extended stay of mine at the Center during regular camp sessions, so I’m enjoying learning about the different work that goes into helping those programs run smoothly.

My most significant result this last year was winning the ACRA championship regatta in the men’s single.

Simone Vorperian

I’m a junior at Penn, studying mechanical engineering. This is my second summer at Craftsbury.

I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to keep getting faster and take good strokes on Big Hosmer in preparation for U23 World Championships. 

This year’s competitive highlight was definitely winning [U23 World Champs] trials.

Megan Lee

I attend Duke University and am majoring in international comparative studies with a certificate in markets and management. My best athletic result this year is a tie between winning the pair at U23 trials and winning the Head of the Hooch in the 8+, 4+, and 2-.

This is my second summer at Craftsbury. I love the atmosphere here, especially being around high performance athletes - it is very inspiring and I learn a lot from everyone here. I also enjoy helping with milfoil mitigation on Big Hosmer.

Rebecca Butler

I’m a senior at Boston College, studying applied psychology and human development, concentrating on special education. This is my first summer at Craftsbury.

I'm excited to learn about sculling and the culture around training that Craftsbury creates - I hope to bring aspects of that back to my training at school!

My competitive highlight of this year was breaking the school record for 2k.

Julia Batson

I am a rising senior at Smith College, studying Spanish and religion. This is my first summer at Craftsbury, and I’m so excited to be training in such a beautiful place under excellent coaches. At the USRowing 2021 Summer Nationals Championships, I earned a bronze medal in both the women’s U23 1x and women’s U23 2x.

Tucker Thomas

I just finished my freshman year at BU, and am a religion major. I have spent the fall and winter of 2020/2021 at Craftsbury as well as last spring and summer. So I guess this is my third time up here. I’m excited to be training at Craftsbury because of the unparalleled support, the amazing mission, and the wonderful people.

Sue Holderness

I’m a rising sophomore at the University of Texas Austin in the business school. My athletic highlight this year is either our Big 12 championship or stroking the 1V4 to win the San Diego Crew Classic - a first for our program.

I am excited to be here for my first summer because of the inspiring people I get to meet, train with and who push me to be better. Also, the Hosmer is a great place to row and there is a great coaching staff. I’m enjoying trying new things like chopping wood, gardening, and getting to paint.

Caleb Nollenberger

I’m a junior at the University of Minnesota, studying forestry. This is my second summer at Craftsbury and I’m excited to do lots of gardening for the kitchen.

My athletic highlight for the year is beating Madison in our annual duel.

Tass Arafa

I’m a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, currently undecided. This is my first summer at Craftsbury.

I am really excited to be around strong athletes with high goals and achievements and my favorite projects are milfoil remediation and gardening.

My rowing highlight of the year was placing 4th at BIG10 2022 in the UW freshman boat.

Taylor English

Taylor is a rising junior at Stanford and this is her first summer at Craftsbury. She has helped Stanford to two consecutive second place finishes at NCAAs the previous two seasons.