FAB FOUR: Former Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowing star Nick Mead 17, far left, competes in the U.S. men’s four. Last Sunday, Mead helped the four place first in its opening heat at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The U.S. will go for a gold medal as it competes in the A final on August 1 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

As the Paris 2024 Olympics got underway last weekend, Princeton University rowing alums put themselves in medal contention with a number of superb performances.

Last Sunday, Nick Mead ’17 helped the U.S four win its opening heat and advance to the A final on August 1 as it earned a shot at a medal. Rowing from the bow seat, Mead helped the boat post a winning time of 6:04.95 over the 2,000-meter course at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Anther Tiger alum, Timothy Masters ’15, rowed for the Australian four that took second in the same heat as it also put itself in position to compete for a spot on the podium. more

RETURNING TO THE FRAY: Kelsey Reelick, center, competes in the U.S. women’s 4 earlier this year. Reelick, a 2014 Princeton grad and former Tiger women’s open crew star, will be rowing in the U.S. 4 at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. After taking a four-year hiatus from the sport, Reelick returned to rowing to join the U.S. program in 2018 and worked her way up the ranks. (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)

By Bill Alden

For Kelsey Reelick, earning a spot on the U.S. rowing team for the Paris 2024 Olympics turned out to be a sister act.

Former Princeton University women’s open rowing star Reelick ’14 joined the U.S. program in 2018 after four years in the working world, inspired by the success of younger sister, Erin, also a Tiger rowing standout, on the national stage. more

MAKING STRIDES: Madison Curry warms up before a recent game with Angel City Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWASL). Recently graduated Princeton University women’s soccer star defender Curry has made a solid debut for the club this season, playing in 14 games, including making 13 starts. (Photo provided courtesy of Angel City Football Club)

By Justin Feil

Madison Curry hasn’t taken long to exceed expectations at the professional level.

Recently graduated Princeton University women’s soccer star Curry has become the fifth former Tigers player to compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after being selected by Angel City Football Club with the ninth pick of the fourth round. She has played 14 games, including making 13 starts, far more than she ever anticipated already this season.

“It’s been an absolute whirlwind,” said Curry. “I think if you were to ask my expectations at the beginning of the season, it would never be that I would be starting. I was thinking this year would just be a development year for me. To be on the field with the team has been absolutely incredible and incredibly hard in many ways. But I love this team, and I love going to practice every day.” more

NICK OF TIME: Nick Mead rows for the U.S. men’s 4 in recent action. Mead, a 2017 Princeton University alum and Tiger men’s heavyweight rowing star, will be competing on the 4 in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of USA Rowing)

By Bill Alden

Upon helping the U.S. men’s 8 boat take fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Nick Mead decided to take a hiatus from rowing.

“After Tokyo, they made a bunch of coaching changes, the performance director rolled over and basically the whole high performance system in the U.S. was completely different than it had been the last few years,” said Mead, a 2017 Princeton University alum and men’s heavyweight rowing star who helped the Tiger varsity 8 to a pair of bronze medals at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championships. “I moved back to the east coast and I didn’t know whether I was going to row again, especially not knowing who was on the coaching staff.” more

PULLING IT TOGETHER: Claire Collins, second from right with visor, shows her form while rowing for the U.S. women’s 8. Former Princeton University women’s open crew standout Collins ’19 will be competing in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics for the U.S. 8. It will mark the second appearance at the Olympics for Collins, who helped the U.S. 4 take seventh at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of USA Rowing)

By Bill Alden

For Claire Collins, making the U.S. rowing team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 marked a career breakthrough.

“It was pretty eye-opening, it was also the first senior national team that I made,” said Collins, a 2019 Princeton University grad who helped the Tigers earn four Ivy League titles during her college career and won the Otto von Kienbusch award as Princeton’s top senior female athlete.

“I had done the junior national team, I had done the U23. The Olympic team in 2021 was my first senior national team. It was also a really valuable experience as my first race on that level so I was seeing what that level was like. All in all, I would say a lot learned and great experiences.” more

STICKING WITH IT: Beth Yeager dribbles the ball upfield in action for the U.S. national field hockey team. Yeager, a rising junior for the Princeton University field hockey squad, was named last week to the 16-player roster for the national team that will compete at the Olympic Games in Paris that begin July 27. Yeager, who was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, took a year away from school to focus on making the U.S. squad for the Olympics. (Photo provided courtesy of USA Field Hockey)

By Justin Feil

Beth Yeager delayed her junior year at Princeton University for the opportunity to compete for a spot on the United States national field hockey team.

The night before the final team was to be posted on their training team’s app last week, Yeager was understandably nervous.

“It would be a bit strange if I wasn’t,” said Yeager. “I was definitely nervous. Like the night before, I really couldn’t fall asleep, and I woke up early that morning. I think everyone is. No matter if I had my position on the team, I would have been nervous just because it was my first Olympic selection and obviously it’s something that I’ve worked towards my whole field hockey career.”

Yeager was thrilled to be named June 12 to the 16-player roster for the national team that will compete at the Olympic Games in Paris that begin July 27.  more

ACTION JACKSON: Princeton University men’s track star Jackson Shorten competes in the steeplechase last week at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. Sophomore Shorten placed fifth in his preliminary heat on Wednesday to qualify for the final. Two days later, he took 10th in the final, earning second-team All-American honors. Seven other Tiger athletics competed in the NCAA meet including Casey Helm in the men’s discus, Nicholas Bendtsen in the men’s 5,000 meters, Siniru Iheoma the women’s discus, Shea Greene in the women’s javelin, Alexandra Kelly in the women’s long jump, Georgina Scoot in the women’s triple jump, and Tessa Mudd in the women’s pole vault. (Photo provided by Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As the crème de la crème of the college track world converged last week at the mecca of the sport in the U.S., Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Championships, the Princeton University squad had eight athletes make the stellar field.

For sophomore star steeplechaser Jackson Shorter, earning a trip to Hayward was the culmination of a superb spring.

“As I look forward to the coming week, I feel an immense sense of gratitude,” said Shorten as quoted on the Princeton sports website. “I am so thankful for the way that I have continued to progress this season, my coach, and my incredible teammates. I would not be where I am today without such an incredible support system. Ahead is an incredible opportunity and I want to make the most of it.” more

MAKING HIS MARK: Princeton University men’s heavyweight rower Marco Misasi, center, competes in the seven-seat in a race this spring for the varsity 8. Last Sunday, team captain Misasi helped the varsity 8 take fourth in its grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championships on Mercer Lake. Princeton finished second in the Ten Eyck team point standings at the regatta with 266, 12 points behind champion Washington. (Photo by Ed Hewitt/Row2k, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As a 12-year-old growing up in Brazil, Marco Misasi was a high-spirited kid.

Looking to channel that vigor, Misasi’s parents pushed him to take up rowing.

“What got me into the sport was that I had too much energy as a kid,” said Misasi, a native of Sao Paulo. “My dad asked one of his friends and his son was in rowing and he said you should put him into rowing because rowing is going to drain all of his energy.” more

by Bill Alden

In her 27 years as the head coach of Princeton University women’s open crew program, Lori Dauphiny has guided a number of superb teams.

Her tenure has included the 2006 and 2011 NCAA varsity 8 champions as well as the 2022 NCAA varsity 4 champion. While this year’s squad didn’t win a national title, it will stand out in Dauphiny’s memory.

“They are a special team; this team is very close and they have built a culture that is so supportive,” said Dauphiny. “It really shows. We didn’t just focus on our boats, we focus on the team. We talked about how much of the success comes from our Ivy campaign and from all of the boats.” more

SO GOOD: Princeton University softball player Sonia Zhang takes a cut in a game this spring. Freshman infielder Zhang starred as Princeton went 1-2 in the NCAA regional in Lafayette, La. earlier this month posting a 4-2 win over Ole Miss on May 18 to earn its first win in the national tournament since 2005. The Tigers finished the season with a 30-18 record. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University softball team prepared to head to the NCAA regional in Lafayette, La. earlier this month, the squad’s veterans imparted some wisdom gained from their experience at the 2022 national tournament.

“It was good to have a bunch of perspectives from coaches to the juniors and seniors,” said Princeton head coach Lisa Van Ackeren. more

TOP TIGER: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kaitlyn Chen dribbles up the court in a game this past winter. Senior star point guard Chen was named last Thursday as the recipient of the 2024 C. Otto von Kienbusch Award which is presented annually to a Princeton senior woman of high scholastic rank who has demonstrated general proficiency in athletics and the qualities of a true sportswoman. Tiger men’s senior fencer Tristan Szapary was named as the winner of the 2024 William Winston Roper Trophy which is awarded annually to a Princeton senior man of high scholastic rank and outstanding qualities of sportsmanship and general proficiency in athletics. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Kaitlyn Chen played in her final game at Jadwin Gym for the Princeton University women’s basketball squad this past March, she reflected on the special ride she has enjoyed with her teammates.

“This school is just amazing and it is surrounded by such great people,” said Chen, a 5’9 native of San Marino, Calif., who helped Princeton defeat Penn 72-55 that night as the Tigers clinched a tie for the Ivy League regular season crown. “I am just lucky to be here and be able to celebrate this with them. I will just be grateful for all of the memories I have made here and all of the friendships and relationships that I have grown and developed. Those will be with me the rest of my life.” more

OPENING UP: The Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 churns through the water in recent action. Last Sunday, the varsity 8 placed first in its grand final at the Ivy League Championships in Pennsauken, N.J. The top boat’s victory helped the Tigers win their seventh straight Ivy title and earn the league’s automatic berth to the upcoming NCAA Rowing Championships. The NCAA regatta is taking place from May 31-June 2 at the East Fork/Harsha Lake in Bethel, Ohio. (Photo by Ed Hewitt/Row2k, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University women’s open rowers had to juggle exams last week with preparing for the Ivy League Championships, they didn’t let that detract from their training.

“They did a really nice job balancing the academic demands with testing and rowing,” said Princeton head coach Lori Dauphiny. “They were just very focused in their approach. I think that is a testament to the team.” more

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Members of the Princeton University softball team show their joy as they greet Allison Ha after she hit a homer against Cornell in a regular season game on May 4. Last Saturday, the Tigers had a lot to celebrate as they edged Harvard 1-0 in a winner-take-all contest in the final round of the double-elimination Ivy League Tournament and earned the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Princeton, now 29-16, will head south to the Louisiana Regional in Lafayette, La., where it will face host Louisiana on May 17 in the opener of the double-elimination competition. The two other teams at the site are Ole Miss and Baylor. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

It was a blast that gave the Princeton University softball team a huge lift as it headed into the Ivy League Tournament last week.

With Princeton trailing Cornell in the bottom of the seventh inning in its regular season finale on May 4, Lauren Sablone slammed a three-run walk-off homer that gave the Tigers a 5-4 win. In the wake of the triumph Princeton earned the top seed in the Ivy tournament and the right to host the double elimination competition at the friendly confines of Strubing Field.

“That was one of the top three sports moments I have been a part of, it was unbelievable, it was electric,” said Princeton head coach Lisa Van Ackeren. “There is genuine belief that anything can happen and when you have a moment like that you remember what sports are all about. Nobody knows who is supposed to win and really anything can happen on any given day. I think that gave our team a huge boost of momentum going into the tournament.” more

TOUGH FINISH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Nate Kabiri gets ready to unload the ball in a game earlier this year. Last Saturday, freshman attacker Kabiri tallied three goals in a losing cause as Princeton fell 16-8 at seventh-seeded Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The loss left the Tigers with a final record of 11-5. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team hit the field at Maryland last Saturday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the players were drenched by a cloudburst.

Once the game started, Princeton was hit by a deluge of Terp goals as Maryland scored three unanswered goals in the first eight minutes of the game and extended its lead to 9-1 midway through the second quarter. more

HOT HAND: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy, left, looks to elude a defender in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, junior attacker Mackesy tallied three goals and four assists to help second-seeded Princeton defeat fourth-seeded Penn 18-11 in the final of the Ivy League Tournament in Ithaca, N.Y. The Tigers, now 11-4 and riding a four-game winning streak, will head to the NCAA tournament where they will play at seventh-seeded Maryland in a first round contest on May 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team got upset 13-12 in mid-April by a mediocre Brown squad, its hopes for any postseason play were put on life support.

“The big thing about the Brown loss is that it put our season at risk, we were at the risk of not even making the Ivy tournament,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “I think that was the most challenging part of it.”

The Tigers proved to be up to the challenge, ending the regular season with a 15-10 win over Penn on April 20 and a 15-8 victory at Yale a week later to earn a spot in the four-team Ivy League Tournament.

“I think to gain that sense of urgency a little earlier, now we are comfortable playing with it,” said Madalon. “We just understand the expectations, we have been in playoff mode for a while.”

 more

WELCOME TO JERSEY: New Princeton University men’s hockey head coach Ben Syer, left, is all smiles at his introductory press conference last Friday morning as Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack presented him with a personalized Tiger jersey. Syer comes to Princeton after serving the last 25 years as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac and Cornell. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Over the last quarter century, Ben Syer has helped torment the Princeton University men’s hockey program as an assistant coach for heated rivals Quinnipiac and Cornell.

Now Syer will be bringing his winning approach south as he was named last week as the 18th head coach of Tiger men’s hockey, succeeding Ron Fogarty who was let go in mid-March.

After scheming to beat Princeton for the last 25 years, Syer is thrilled to now be running the show at Hobey Baker Rink. more

TOP SPEED: The Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 churns through the water in a race this spring. The Tiger top boat, which is ranked No. 1 nationally, won the Carnegie Cup last Saturday as it defeated No. 5 Yale and No. 14 Cornell on the Cayuga Inlet in Ithaca, N.Y. The Tigers covered the 2,000-meter route in a course record time of 5:26.6, breaking the mark set by Syracuse last year at 5:33. Princeton hosts Brown on May 4 on Lake Carnegie in the race for the Content Cup. (Photo by Ed Hewitt – Row2k, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a 2023 campaign that saw his Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 take third at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta and with three All-Americans returning from that boat, Greg Hughes was cautiously optimistic heading into this spring.

“Last year was a big step forward for us, I think it gave us confidence that we have something positive in motion,” said Princeton men’s heavyweight head coach Hughes, whose All-American trio includes Theo Bell, Marcus Chute, and Nick Taylor. “Any year where you are returning a big chunk of the previous year’s varsity, I think it is important to recognize last year was last year. It is absolutely a new season and you are starting from scratch but I think having some good experience together under pressure is definitely an advantage.” more

NOT FOR THE MEEK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Andrew McMeekin, left, goes after a face-off in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore McMeekin won 20-of-26 face-offs and scooped up 17 ground balls to help Princeton defeat Yale 15-8 and clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament. He was later named the Ivy Defensive Player of the Week. Second-seeded Princeton will have a rematch with third-seeded Yale in one semifinal on May 3 in Ithaca, N.Y. The victor will advance to the final on May 5 to face the winner of the other semi clash between top-seeded Cornell and fourth-seeded Penn. The champion will earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matt Madalon vowed that his Princeton University men’s lacrosse team would put its nose to the grindstone as it prepared to play at Yale last Saturday, knowing that a win would clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament.

“We have an opportunity to solidify that,” said Princeton head coach Madalon, whose squad also faced the possibility of getting get shut out of the four-team tourney if it lost to Yale and Brown beat Harvard. “We are going to put all of our effort into these next five days of practice.” more