July 5, 2017

After Taking 6th in NCAAs in PU Track Finale, Ratcliffe Aiming to Continue International Career

BRINGING THE HAMMER: Julia Ratcliffe displays her hammer throw form. Recently graduated Ratcliffe wrapped up her storied career with the Princeton University women’s track team by placing sixth in the hammer at the NCAA Championships last month. New Zealand native Ratcliffe, who just missed making the 2016 Summer Olympics, will be continuing her international career this summer as she competes in the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships in London and the 2017 World University Games in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

Julia Ratcliffe took a hiatus from her Princeton University track career, heading to her native New Zealand for a year to train for a shot at the 2016 Summer Olympics. more

June 28, 2017

Continuing to Garner Honors after PU Graduation, Women’s Lax Star Hompe Wins Scholar-Athlete Award

PLAYING IT SMART: Princeton University women’s lacrosse star Olivia Hompe, right, heads up the field in game this past spring during her senior season. Last week, Hompe was named as the 2017 Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Recently graduated Princeton University women’s lacrosse star Olivia Hompe ’17 has been named the 2017 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced last week. more

Tiger Women’s Golfer Walton Made History, Advancing to NCAA Finals in Debut Campaign

DRIVE TO SUCCEED: Princeton University women’s golfer Maya Walton displays her driving form. This past spring, Walton wrapped a superb freshman campaign by qualifying for the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships, where she tied for 113th. In so doing, she become the third Tiger and the first Princeton freshman to play in the NCAA finals, joining Mary Moan ’97 in 1997 and Kelly Shon ’14 in 2013. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Maya Walton wasn’t thrilled with how she played last fall as she started her freshman campaign with the Princeton University women’s golf team. more

June 21, 2017

Persevering Through Ups and Downs, Warren Ends PU Rowing Career on a High

PULLING IT OFF: Princeton University women’s lightweight rower Christina Warren competes in a race this spring during her senior season. Co-captain Warren ended her college career on a high note, helping the Princeton varsity 8 to a bronze medal at the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) national championship regatta earlier this month. Last week, Warren and fellow co-captain Juliette Hackett were named to the 2017 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-America team. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

As a young girl growing up in Sarasota, Fla., Christina Warren dreamed of being a college athlete. more

June 16, 2017

Embracing Mixing and Matching of Lineups, PU Men’s Heavyweights Rose to Occasion at IRAs

IN SYNCH: Members of the Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 compete in a race earlier this spring. Earlier this month, the varsity 8 placed fourth in the grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta in Sacramento, Calif. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

As his Princeton University men’s heavyweight squad prepared for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championships, Greg Hughes decided to shake things up.

“There is a lot of parity within the group, and as the season goes on people make some great adjustments,” said Princeton head coach Hughes. more

June 14, 2017

After Earning One Medal at IRA Regatta, PU Men’s Lightweights Focusing on Grit

For the Princeton University men’s lightweight crew, its varsity 4 without coxswain provided the major highlight at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta.

The quartet of senior Will Von Cleve, junior Tyler Valicenti, junior Ryan Pristo, and junior Harrison Shure earned silver, making it a third straight year that the program earned a medal in that division.

“Those guys did great, those guys came together and they really like rowing together,” said Princeton head coach Marty Crotty of the boat that clocked a time of 6:10.144 over the 2,000- meter course on Lake Natoma in Sacramento, Calif. and took second with Harvard posting a winning time of 6:06.700. more

After 21-Year Tenure Guiding PU Women’s Hockey, Kampersal Finds a New Home at Penn State

ENTERING THE LION’S DEN: Jeff Kampersal makes a point on the bench during his tenure as the head coach of the Princeton University women’s hockey team. After a highly successful 21-season run at the helm of the Tigers, Kampersal is headed to Penn State to take over as the head coach of the Nittany Lions. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

Coming to Princeton University from the Boston area in 1988, Jeff Kampersal quickly found a home in the Garden State.

Joining the men’s hockey team that winter, the 6’2, 200-pound Kampersal emerged as one of the top defensemen in program history, earning both All-ECAC and All-Ivy League honors as a four-year letterwinner and team captain. more

June 7, 2017

Hun Alumna Weeks Ends College Career on a High, Helping BC Women’s Lacrosse Make NCAA Final

EAGLE EYE: Kate Weeks prepares to unload the ball in recent action for the Boston College women’s lacrosse team Weeks, a former Hun School standout, enjoyed a big senior campaign this spring for the Eagles, scoring 76 goals to help BC reach the NCAA championship game. (Photo by John Quackenbos/BC Athletics)

When Kate Weeks committed to attend Boston College and join its women’s lacrosse team, she was hoping to get in on the ground floor of something big.

“In my gut, I thought that this team wanted to win more than they wanted to do anything else in their life,” said Weeks, a former Hun School standout who started her BC career in the fall of 2013.

“It was an unbelievable passion that other maybe more established programs didn’t have. I wanted to be part of growth instead of going to an already established program.” more

Water Polo’s Johnson, Men’s Hoops Star Weisz Win Princeton’s Top Senior Athlete Awards

GRADUATING WITH HONORS: Princeton University women’s water polo goalie Ashleigh Johnson clears the ball in a game this season. Last Thursday, Johnson was named as the 2017 winner of the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award as Princeton’s top senior female athlete. Princeton men’s hoops star Spencer Weisz received the 2017 William Winston Roper Trophy as the school’s outstanding senior male athlete. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

It didn’t take long for Ashleigh Johnson and Spencer Weisz to make an impact in their Princeton University athletic careers.

Women’s water polo goalie Johnson made a program record 19 saves in her debut on February 8, 2013 as Princeton fell 7-5 to No. 4 Cal.

Men’s basketball player Weisz had five points, six rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes in his first appearance during a season opening 67-50 win over Florida Atlantic on November 10, 2013. He was in the starting lineup that day, making him the first Princeton freshman to start a season opener since Douglas Davis ’12 and Patrick Saunders ’12 in 2008-09. more

With Captain Mead Leading by Example, PU Men’s Heavyweights Battled at IRAs

 

NICK OF TIME: Princeton University men’s heavyweight rower Nick Mead, center, pulls hard in recent action for the varsity 8. Last Sunday, senior captain Mead ended his Princeton career by helping the varsity 8 place fourth in the grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta in Sacramento, Calif. Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications

Nick Mead gave up lacrosse to start rowing as a freshman at the Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pa.

Initially, Mead wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision. “I didn’t like it the first couple of months but I think that is pretty typical of rowing when you are first starting” said Mead.

“It is not very much fun. You are learning all the new things, you are getting blisters on your hands, and you are not going very fast.”

But with his father having rowed at Princeton and his mother and brother having rowed at Penn, Mead was destined to excel as an oarsman. He became a star at Episcopal, helping its 4+ win the 2013 Scholastic Rowing Association of America title. Mead also competed with the men’s US 8+ at the 2013 Junior World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania. more

May 31, 2017

Howe Comes a Long Way in Her PU Crew Career, Helping Tiger Open 1V Boat Place 9th at NCAAs

DIGGING DEEP: The Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 gives its all as it took third place in the B final at the NCAA Championships last Sunday on Mercer Lake. The boat, which went undefeated in regular season action and won the Ivy League regatta, thereby finished ninth overall nationally. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Georgie Howe came a long way to join the Princeton University women’s open rowing program. more

Looking to Build on Big Day at Eastern Sprints, Princeton Men’s Heavyweights Primed for IRAs

Battling through some nasty weather conditions, the Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowing program  enjoyed a big day at the Eastern Sprints earlier this month.

Undeterred by the wind and rain whipping through the course at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Mass. during the May 14 regatta, Princeton made the medal stand in four races, winning the second varsity 8 and taking third in the first varsity 8, third varsity 8, and the fourth varsity 8.

Princeton head coach Greg Hughes credited his rowers with showing character and skill in achieving that medal haul. more

Saving Its Best for Last at NCAA Regatta, Princeton Open V4 Makes Grand Final

GRAND ACHIEVEMENT: The Princeton University open varsity 4 powers its way to a sixth place finish in the grand final at the NCAA Championships last Sunday on Mercer Lake. The boat was only the sixth V4 in open program history to reach the NCAA grand final. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Emily Erdos and the Princeton University women’s open varsity 4 didn’t have a smooth ride in their road to the NCAA championships. more

May 24, 2017

PU Women’s Lax Edged in NCAA Quarters, Fighting Penn State to the End in 14-12 Loss

LION HEARTED: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Ellie McNulty heads to goal in recent action. Last Sunday, junior midfielder McNulty contributed two goals in a losing cause as fifth-seeded Princeton fell 14-12 at fourth-seeded Penn State in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals. The defeat to the Nittany Lions left the Tigers with a final record of 15-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

When the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team hosted Penn State in late March, it found itself trailing 5-0 with 26:45 left in the first half. more

Princeton Softball Eliminated in NCAA Regional, Competing Hard but Not Satisfied With Performance

STANDING TALL: Princeton University softball player Keeley Walsh throws the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, Walsh delivered a two-run single in a losing cause as Princeton fell 10-2 to Jacksonville State in an elimination game at the Tallahassee, Fla. regional of the NCAA tournament. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 25-20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As it competed in the Tallahassee, Fla. regional of the NCAA tournament last weekend, the Princeton University softball team was looking to make a statement. more

May 22, 2017

Undefeated PU Women’s Open Crew Wins Ivy Title, Aiming to End Special Spring with NCAA Success

SPOILS OF VICTORY: Members of the Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 show off the medals and trophies they earned after winning the grand final at the Ivy League championship regatta on Cooper River in Pennsauken, N.J. last Sunday. It was the second straight Ivy crown for the top open boat and the third in the last four years. Princeton is next in action when it competes at the NCAA championship regatta from May 26-28 on Mercer Lake in West Windsor. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

Even though the Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 went 11-0 in regular season competition, Lori Dauphiny knew nothing was guaranteed as her top boat competed in the Ivy League championship regatta last weekend. more

May 17, 2017

While PU Men’s Lax Ended on a Down Note, Improving to 9-6 Portends Good Things Ahead

FOR THE RECORD: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Gavin McBride looks to unload the ball in a game earlier this spring. The senior star attackman ended his career with a bang, tallying a program-record 54 goals this spring, breaking the record of 53 set by Jesse Hubbard 21 years ago. He also had 17 assists, making him the fifth player in program history to reach 70 points in a season. The Tigers ended the spring with a 9-6 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Over the course of the spring, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team produced a number of impressive wins.

In early March, Princeton routed perennial power Johns Hopkins 18-7. Later in the month, the Tigers earned two key Ivy League triumphs, topping Penn 17-8 and Brown 21-11, avenging double-digit defeats from a year earlier. more

George Comes Through Late for PU Women’s Lax As Tigers Edge Cornell, Advance to NCAA Quarters

BY GEORGE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Elizabeth George sprints upfield last Sunday as Princeton hosted Cornell in an NCAA second round contest. Sophomore George scored four goals, including the final two tallies of the contest, as fifth-seeded Princeton prevailed 11-9 over the Big Red. The Tigers, now 15-3, play at fourth-seeded Penn State (16-3) in the NCAA quarterfinals on May 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Storm clouds were gathering in the sky and on the field for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team as it hosted Cornell in an NCAA second round contest last Sunday afternoon. more

May 16, 2017

PU Women’s Lacrosse Wins Ivy Tournament, Earns No. 5 Seed and Home Contest in NCAAs

DOING GREAT: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Anna Doherty heads upfield in a game this spring. Last weekend, senior midfielder and tri-captain Doherty helped Princeton win the Ivy League tournament. Doherty scored four goals in a 17-8 win over Penn in the semis on Friday and then contributed two goals to help the Tigers defeat Cornell 12-9 in the championship game. Princeton, now 14-3 overall, is seeded fifth in the NCAA tournament and will host a second round contest on May 14 between the winner of the Cornell/Notre Dame first round game. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Over the course of the spring, a recurring theme for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team has been an emphasis on getting off to a quick start. more

May 11, 2017

Steeled by Tough Competition Down the Stretch, PU Men’s Lightweights Primed for Eastern Sprints

PULLING TOGETHER: The Princeton University men’s lightweight varsity 8 churns through the water in a race earlier this spring. After ending the regular season by taking a close third behind Harvard and Yale in the annual H-Y-P regatta, the Tigers will be looking to make up the gap as they compete in the Eastern Sprints on May 14 in Worcester, Mass. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

Over the last half of April, the Princeton University men’s lightweight varsity 8 crew found itself under the gun every week. more

May 10, 2017

Tiger Softball Sweeps Harvard in Ivy Series, Aiming to Make Statement at NCAA Regional

ENCORE PERFORMANCE: Princeton University softball pitcher Claire Klausner delivers a pitch against Harvard in the Ivy League Championship Series (ILCS) last Saturday. Senior Klausner pitched a six-hit shutout as Princeton prevailed 1-0 in the opener. The Tigers won the nightcap 13-4 to sweep the best-of-three series and earn their second straight Ivy League crown. Princeton, now 25-18, will learn its NCAA assignment on May 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Claire Klausner is affectionately called the “ice woman” by her teammates on the Princeton University softball team and she has come to embrace that nickname. more

May 4, 2017

PU Women’s Water Polo Battles Hard to the End, Getting Edged by Michigan 5-4 in CWPA Final

END OF AN ERA: Princeton University women’s water polo goalie Ashleigh Johnson stymies a foe in a game this season. Last weekend, senior star and Olympic gold medalist Johnson ended her stellar Tiger career by starring in the CWPA (Collegiate Water Polo Association) Championship. She made 35 saves in three games, helping ninth-ranked Princeton advance to the title game, where it fell 5-4 to seventh-ranked Michigan. The Tigers ended the season with a 24-4 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Taking advantage of a two-week hiatus from competition between the end of the regular season and the CWPA (Collegiate Water Polo Association) Championship, the Princeton University women’s water polo team got to recharge its batteries. more

May 3, 2017

Senior Star Leavell, Classmates Enjoy Home Finale, Beating Columbia in Earning 4th Ivy Straight Title

HIGHER LEAVELL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Amanda Leavell heads upfield in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior defender Leavell chipped in an assist, two caused turnovers, and three ground balls to help Princeton defeat Columbia 18-11. The win improved Princeton to 12-3 overall and 6-1 Ivy League. The ninth-ranked Tigers earned their fourth straight Ivy regular season crown as they tied for first with Penn and Cornell. Princeton will now compete in the Ivy postseason tournament where they will face No. 7 Penn in a semifinal contest on May 5 with the winner advancing to the title game on May 7 to play for the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA tourney. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Amanda Leavell is a defensive stalwart for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team but she went on the attack against Columbia last Saturday in her last regular season home appearance. more

April 26, 2017

With Goldstein Bearing Down in Final Campaign, PU Men’s Lacrosse Clinches Spot in Ivy Tourney

Bear Goldstein hails from the heart of Texas but he has deep ties to Princeton University.

Goldstein’s mother went to Princeton in the 1980s and competed for the track team and his grandfather played football for the Tigers and was a member of the Class of 1951.

So when the Dallas native was considering where to attend college and continue his lacrosse career, coming north to Princeton was a no-brainer.

“I never had a choice of where to go, not that I would have wanted one,” said the 6’0, 180-pound Goldstein, who starred at lacrosse and football at the St. Mark’s School of Texas. more

Straight Shooters

Members of the Princeton University women’s golf team celebrate after winning the Ivy League championship tournament last weekend at the Orange Tree Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. The Tigers produced a dominant performance in earning their first Ivy crown since 2005, firing a cumulative total of 891 (+27) in the three-round event, 31 strokes in front of second-place Harvard. Sophomore Amber Wang led four Tigers in the top seven to win medalist honors at +2, carding a 1-under 71 Sunday to finish three strokes in front of freshman teammate Allison Chang Wang who is the first Tiger to win the individual title since Kelly Shon ’14 in 2013. With the win, Princeton gains the Ivy League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals, which will be held May 8-10 at four locations. (Photo Courtesy of the Ivy League)