Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Men's Heavyweight Team Honors Class of 2020
May 30, 2020 | Heavyweight Rowing
Love.
A common theme throughout the Class of 2020 videos that have appeared on the men's heavyweight social media platforms this week.
An overwhelming sense of love.
It goes beyond the double-digit medals the group had collected in its three years on the water.
Underclassmen told stories about their first-time visiting campus, or how the class treated them, or stories about the great times at boathouse.
Almost all of them ended with how much the Class of 2020 will be missed.
"The Class of 2020 has had an indelible impact on Princeton and our heavyweight program," said head coach Greg Hughes. "On the water, they achieved impressive results. This class earned several Sprints and IRA medals, and they won countless regular season races. They were eager and willing to push their own individual physical and mental boundaries to find new speed for the team and our entire squad benefited from their determination and leadership. They created an example for all of us on the water that was inspiring and infectious. Their impact was also seen and felt up on campus in everything they did away from the boathouse. They served as learning and writing consultants, Special Olympics coaches, SAWLs and club presidents. They led the way in the classroom, representing six different majors and produced award-winning work in film and poetry. Just this week, we learned that at least four of them have earned high honors and prize awards for their work done on their senior theses. What's the simple lesson learned from the class of 2020? They taught us what it means to be "All In." How they did anything was how they did everything and they did it all with a joy and a passion that made others eager to join them in their pursuits. Micaela, Sam, Andrew, Spence, Henry, Ryan, Seb, David, Andy, Chris, David: You have inspired us and made us all better. Your mark will be with us for many years to come. Thank you!"
The Frank Sinatra song "My Way" is the best way to describe this group of individuals as a whole," said associate head coach Matt Smith. "This class did it their way. It was by no means perfect from the start, but what they showed was a spirit and enthusiasm to take on any challenge. It was never about "them", but rather always about the team and those around them. Taking this approach resulted in the Class of 2020 as being a group of positive enablers and they all pushed their own limits to new heights. I look forward to seeing how this class continues to influence Princeton Rowing and the world."
"The class of 2020 is a meaningful one for me personally and for the past, present and future of our program, said assistant coach Joe Gartland. "As a young coach, they really showed me all the possibilities and opportunities that being a Princeton student present both on and off the water. Their work as team AND community leaders provides a great example for future generations of Tigers as to the type of impact you can make at the boathouse and beyond. Some of my favorite memories as a coach have come with this group and I can't wait to see all they accomplish going forward. Thank you so much!"
The Class of 2020, David Babikian, Sebastian Benzecry, David Bewicke-Copley, Henry Evans, Sam Fortuno, Ryan Hutzley, Micaela Keller, Chris Lawrie and Andy LeRoux, Andrew Redd and Spencer Sands were well accomplished not just on the water, but off as well.
Babikian earned Bain-Swiggett Poetry Prize and the Outstanding Work by a Senior Prize both for his creative writing thesis. Benzecry picked up the Miner Prize for his English Thesis. Evans nabbed the Prize for American History for history thesis. Hutzley earned high honors.
The Class of 2020 set a standard for the culture at the boathouse and for that, the team, coaches, and friends of the program are forever grateful.
A common theme throughout the Class of 2020 videos that have appeared on the men's heavyweight social media platforms this week.
An overwhelming sense of love.
It goes beyond the double-digit medals the group had collected in its three years on the water.
Underclassmen told stories about their first-time visiting campus, or how the class treated them, or stories about the great times at boathouse.
Almost all of them ended with how much the Class of 2020 will be missed.
"The Class of 2020 has had an indelible impact on Princeton and our heavyweight program," said head coach Greg Hughes. "On the water, they achieved impressive results. This class earned several Sprints and IRA medals, and they won countless regular season races. They were eager and willing to push their own individual physical and mental boundaries to find new speed for the team and our entire squad benefited from their determination and leadership. They created an example for all of us on the water that was inspiring and infectious. Their impact was also seen and felt up on campus in everything they did away from the boathouse. They served as learning and writing consultants, Special Olympics coaches, SAWLs and club presidents. They led the way in the classroom, representing six different majors and produced award-winning work in film and poetry. Just this week, we learned that at least four of them have earned high honors and prize awards for their work done on their senior theses. What's the simple lesson learned from the class of 2020? They taught us what it means to be "All In." How they did anything was how they did everything and they did it all with a joy and a passion that made others eager to join them in their pursuits. Micaela, Sam, Andrew, Spence, Henry, Ryan, Seb, David, Andy, Chris, David: You have inspired us and made us all better. Your mark will be with us for many years to come. Thank you!"
The Frank Sinatra song "My Way" is the best way to describe this group of individuals as a whole," said associate head coach Matt Smith. "This class did it their way. It was by no means perfect from the start, but what they showed was a spirit and enthusiasm to take on any challenge. It was never about "them", but rather always about the team and those around them. Taking this approach resulted in the Class of 2020 as being a group of positive enablers and they all pushed their own limits to new heights. I look forward to seeing how this class continues to influence Princeton Rowing and the world."
"The class of 2020 is a meaningful one for me personally and for the past, present and future of our program, said assistant coach Joe Gartland. "As a young coach, they really showed me all the possibilities and opportunities that being a Princeton student present both on and off the water. Their work as team AND community leaders provides a great example for future generations of Tigers as to the type of impact you can make at the boathouse and beyond. Some of my favorite memories as a coach have come with this group and I can't wait to see all they accomplish going forward. Thank you so much!"
The Class of 2020, David Babikian, Sebastian Benzecry, David Bewicke-Copley, Henry Evans, Sam Fortuno, Ryan Hutzley, Micaela Keller, Chris Lawrie and Andy LeRoux, Andrew Redd and Spencer Sands were well accomplished not just on the water, but off as well.
Babikian earned Bain-Swiggett Poetry Prize and the Outstanding Work by a Senior Prize both for his creative writing thesis. Benzecry picked up the Miner Prize for his English Thesis. Evans nabbed the Prize for American History for history thesis. Hutzley earned high honors.
The Class of 2020 set a standard for the culture at the boathouse and for that, the team, coaches, and friends of the program are forever grateful.
Players Mentioned
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