Rowing Their Boats: Alums from the Class of 2015

Nine Villa alums from the class of 2015 took up rowing. When asked why, Villa humanities teacher Kate Brooks, who rowed throughout high school and college, replied that, "It’s the only sport you can start as late as high school but be able to progress to the Olympic Games.” She adds, “I was always so interested in rowing and simply talked about it a lot.”

During high school, Villa alums Hannah Diaz, Naomi Ferrero, Sophie Longawa, Kari Rogers, and Clare Widzgowski, rowed for Holy Names Academy. Noah Pingul, Chaz Royer, Kate Stewart, and Michael Vail were on the Pocock Rowing Center crew. Says Pocock coach, Alex Mann, “Michael was team captain and they all were the best leaders I’ve worked with in my ten years of coaching, and all were in top boats at the U.S. Rowing Youth National championships.”

According to Coach Mann, his team “spoke very fondly of their time together at school. Villa set an amazing foundation for service, thoughtfulness, and academics.”

Those going on to row in college are: Hannah Diaz (Princeton), Naomi Ferrero (Boston University), Sophie Longawa (MIT), Noah Pingul (St. Joseph's University), Michael Vail (St. Andrews, Scotland), Clare Widgowski (USC)

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