Heavyweights Bring In Deep, Talented Class Of 2021

The Princeton heavyweights have medaled at Eastern Sprints and placed in the Top 4 at the IRA National Championships in each of the last four years, and the Tigers' overall team depth has been enough to bring home two Rowe Cups (Sprints team title) over the last three years, as well as place second in the 2016 Jim Ten Eyck Memorial Trophy team points race at IRA.

Head coach Greg Hughes has believed that the depth of his program would power Princeton in both the 1V and team competitions, and he built upon that depth with another loaded incoming freshman class.

The Princeton heavyweights brought in 10 members of the Class of 2021, including several who have competed in grand finals at either the World Junior or World U-23 Rowing Championships. Four of them made their collegiate debut in Princeton's 'B' boat at last weekend's Head of the Charles, where they finished within the Top 20, while several others will make their debuts this Sunday at the Princeton Chase.

Here are the bios for the Heavyweight Class of 2021.

Jens Clausen
Wimbledon, Eng. • Hampton School

Before Princeton — elected Captain of Boats at the Hampton School … took silver in the Junior Ch4- at 2016 Nationals … reached Saturday rounds at the 2014 Head of the Charles … placed third in the 8+ at the 2015 Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Personal — born Oct. 18, 1997 … son of Virginie and Lars Clausen … has an older brother Niels, a younger brother Henrik, and a younger sister Marie … uncle rowed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and won silver medal … enjoys soccer, cycling, and current affairs … considering physics among courses of study at Princeton.

Nick Foster
Melbourne, Aust. • Melbourne Grammar School

Before Princeton — won Bed Dodwell Award for best 2k erg at Melbourne Grammar School … part of Leander Challenge Cup recipient for best international crew at the 2016 Henley Roal Regatta … two-time Head of the River champion (Associated Public Schools of Victoria) … earned bronze at the 2015 Australian National Championships; won gold at the 2014 u17 national championships … rowed varsity for two years … also competed in athletics (track) and placed in top three over three straight years in 4x800 relay … cross country captain and recipient of the Old Melburian's Award for the captain of cross country … recipient of the Wurm/Frayne Cup of Excellence … House Captain … recipient of the Headmaster's Service Prize for the Captain of Witherby House.

Personal — born July 24, 1998 … son of Lysette and Peter Foster … has an older brother Jake and an older sister Samantha … aunt Margot Foster stroked the women's 4 at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and won Austalia's first Olympic medal in women's rowing (bronze) … enjoys running, soccer, and weightlifting … involved in Surf Life Saving Australia … undecided on course of study at Princeton, but considering medicine.

Harry Higginbottom
Nantwich, Eng. • The King's School

Before Princeton — won two silver medals for Great Britain at the 2015 Coupe de la Jeunesse … reached the Henley Royal Regatta semifinal for the Leander Club … rowed five years in high school … rowing club captain … School Prefect … Rowing Prize winner.

Personal — born July 29m 1998 … son of Elizabeth Metcalfe and Barry Higginbottom … has three older sisters: Jade, Alexandra, and Sophie … enjoys playing the piano, running, and cycling … considering studying economics and chemistry at Princeton.

Frederik Johne
Berlin, Germany • Flatow Oberschule

Before Princeton — rowed in the 4-seat and won the 2016 World and European Junior championship in the 8+ for Germany … won silver in the 4+ at the 2016 German Youth Nationals … took bronze in the 2015 German Youth Nationals in the 4x … placed in Top 2 at Youth Trains for the Olympics in the 4+ for Flatow Oberschule … earned Elite Student of Sport honor.

Personal — born Jan. 8, 1998 … son of Uta and Jorg Johne … has a younger sibling Franka … enjoys riding road bikes and building PCs … considering studying either economics or in the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs.

Gordon Johnson
Greenwich, Conn. • Deerfield Academy

Before Princeton — stroked the USA Junior Men's 8+ to a silver medal at the 2016 Junior World Championships … won gold at the 2017 Youth National Championship, and bronze medal at the 2015 and 2016 Youth National Championships … led Deerfield to three straight New England Championships … raced in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup at the 2017 Royal Henley Regatta … also played water polo at Deerfield Academy … finished in the Top 4 twice at the New England Water Polo Championships … served as captain for both the rowing and water polo teams.

Personal — born April 28, 1998 … son of Marc Johnson and Julia Thomas … has three older siblings: Annie, Campbell, and Blair … interested in history, political science, and economics … undecided on course of study at Princeton.

Ethan McAlpine
Grimsby, Ont. • Grimsby Secondary

Before Princeton — won two national titles in the u19 single and a bronze in the u17 single … won 2016 Canadian national ergometer championship … won gold at the Stotesbury Cup, SRAAs, and Canadian Nationals in the single; last person to win that trio is Princeton's Dan DeGroot '20 … rowed in the u17 double at the Canadian Royal Henley Regatta … placed ninth in the double at the Junior World Championships … named Rowing MVP … also lettered in basketball, swimming, and volleyball … competed in the Southern Ontatio Championships in basketball … swam the 50m at the Provincial Championships … four-year Ontario Scholar.

Personal — born June 25, 1998 … son of Chris and Clara McAlpine … has a younger brother Christian … uncle Emilio played hockey in both the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics … enjoys hiking and photography … considering studying biology and global health policy.

Kasey McFadden
Matawan, N.J. • Matawan

Before Princeton — rowed in the 4x at the 2016 USRowing Youth Nationals … qualified for the 1x at the 2017 Youth Nationals … served as two-year captain for the Navesink River Rowing Club … Salutatorian … Governor's Scholar (NJ Governor's School of Engineering & Technology) … National AP Scholar … National Merit Commended Student … Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award Recipient … Robotics Team Founder & President … Physics Club President … English Honor Society President … Math Honor Society President … Science Honor Society Co-Vice President … National Honor Society Member.

Personal — born July 8, 1999 … son of Karen and Marcye McFadden … has a younger sister Maya … enjoys cycling, running, and swimming … considering studying electrical engineering.

Ollie Schwartz
Sydney, Aust. • Sydney Grammar School

Before Princeton — won 4- and 2- national championships in 2016 with the Sydney Uni Boat Club … placed fifth in the 2016 Junior World Championships in the Australian JM4+ … earned silver in the 2017 Elite 8+ state championships … rowed two years in the 1V8 for Sydney Grammar School, and one year in the Combined GPS 8+ … also competed in swimming, athletics, and rugby … set school swimming records in the 50m and 100m free, and athletics records in the shot put, 200m, and 4x100 relay … NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) High Achievers List … NSW HSC All-Rounders List … Sydney Grammar School OSU Prize for All Rounder.

Personal — born Jan. 26, 1999 … son of Louisa and Tibor Schwartz … has two brothers, Sebastian and Benjamin; Sebastian rows for the Harvard lightweight team … enjoys skiing, surfing, and cycling … undecided on course of study at Princeton.

Tassilo von Mueller
Dusseldorf, Germany • Lycée Francais de Duesseldorf

Before Princeton — won 2017 German national championship in quadruple sculls; also won 2015 national titles in double and quadruple sculls, as well as the 2014 coxed four … won 2017 silver in single sculls … won bronze in 2016 double sculls and 2014 eight … won Baltic Cup in 2015 and 2016 in Germany for double sculls … earned silver at 2017 European Junior Rowing Championships in quadruple sculls … rowed for Ruderklub am Baldeneysee.

Personal — born Nov. 1, 1999 … son of Clarita and Donat von Mueller; father rowed at Princeton and is a member of the Class of 1984 … has a younger sister Elena … enjoys cycling … considering studying Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or Mathematics.

Isaac Ward
Winter Park, Fla. • Winter Park

Before Princeton — won the 2017 Southern Erg Sprints and the 2017 Southeast Regional Championship … won gold at 2015 and 2017 Florida state championship and silver at 2016 state championship … won silver in the 2015 Canadian Henley in U17 4x with Crescent Boat Club … won the 2014 Southern Erg Sprints … Orange County Super Scholar.

Personal — born Dec. 14, 1998 … son of Christopher and Lakhana Ward … father was a member of the Princeton Class of 1986 … has three older brothers: Thomas, Benjamin, and Samuel; Samuel was a 2x member of the US U23 lightweight 4- … enjoys playing the kazoo … undecided on course of study at Princeton.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results