2015 USA Men's Under-23 8

Coxswain - Lou Lombardi

Stroke - Dara Alizadeh

7 - Hunter Leeming

6 - Justin Murphy

5 - Max Meyer-Bosse

4 - Greg Davis

3 - Jordan Vanderstoep

2 - Kaess Smit

1 - Finn Meeks

Coach - Kevin Sauer

Going for the Gold

This year the World Rowing Under-23 Championships are being held from July 22nd-26th in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. After months of training with our respective colleges we were all invited to a selection camp in Charlottesville, VA. After 5 weeks of intense training and racing we were selected out of 24 attendees to represent the men's 8+ at the 2015 World Rowing Under-23 Championships.

Now that the team has been selected we can focus on the task at hand: winning a World Championship. While we try to keep our focus on gaining boatspeed every practice, there are logistical factors that must be sorted out. As the USRowing Under-23 National Team we are entirely self-funded. The costs of flights, hotels, food, and boat rentals comprise a substantial portion of our preparation for Plovdiv. While we wish that we didn't have to worry about these factors, we do. We are asking for your help.

The estimated cost per person is $3750. That's $33,750 for our boat to get to worlds and compete. We are hoping that you will be able to help us achieve this goal. Every donation is tax deductible as well as incredibly important - there is no such thing as a small donation. Every donation, no matter the size, is sincerely appreciated. By deciding to support our crew you are helping our dreams of becoming World Champions possible. 

Meet the Crew

Lou Lombardi is a recent graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. Lou is from Huntingdon Valley, PA. He began coxing with St. Joseph's Preparatory School. In the summer of 2010 Lou coxed the US men's Junior 8+ that won gold at the World Championships. Lou also coxed the U23 Men's 8+ that finished 3rd at last year's World Championships.

Dara Alizadeh is also a recent graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. He is from Brookline, MA. Dara began rowing with The Belmont Hill School in Boston. This is Dara's first national team.

Hunter Leeming just graduated from Brown University. Hunter is from Sarasota, FL, and he began rowing with Sarasota Crew. Hunter competed for the US Junior National Team in the Men's 8+ in 2011, finishing 5th. He was also a member of the Under-23 8+ that finished 2nd in 2013.

Justin Murphy will be starting his Junior year at the University of California, Berkeley in the Fall. Justin is from Montclair, NJ, and he began rowing with Montclair High School in 2009. Justin was on the US Junior National Team in 2012 and 2013. Last year Justin Stroked the Men's 4- at the Under-23 World Championships.

Max Meyer-Bosse graduated from Harvard University this spring. Max is from Westport, CT. Max began rowing with Saugatuck Rowing Club. In 2010 Max was a member of the Junior national team and raced in the Men's 4x. In 2011 Max returned to the Junior national team and was a member of the 5th place finishing Men's 8+. In 2013 Max sat in bow seat of the Men's Under-23 8+ that finished 2nd at the World Championships.

Greg Davis will be starting his last year at Cornell University in the fall. Greg is from Hillsborough, CA. He began rowing with Saint Ignatius College Prep. In 2012 Greg raced for the US on the Junior National Team. In 2014 Greg was in the Under-23 Men's 8+ that finished 3rd at the World Championships.

Jordan Vanderstoep attends the University of California, Berkeley and will be starting his last year this fall. Jordan is from Santa Cruz, CA. Jordan began his rowing career at Los Gatos Rowing Club. in 2011 Jordan was a member of the Junior National Team, and he raced in the Men's 4+. In 2014 Jordan raced in the Men's 2- at the Under-23 World Championships.

Kaess Smit just graduated from Stanford University. Kaess is from Gladwyne, PA. He began rowing with Saint Louis Rowing Club and later rowed for the Haverford School. In 2011 Kaess rowed on the Junior National Team in the Men's 4-. In 2013 Kaess was a member of the Under-23 Men's 4- that finished 3rd at the World Championships. In 2014 Kaess was in the Under-23 Men's 8+ that finished 3rd. 

Finn Meeks is about to begin his Junior year at Brown University. Finn is from Lake Forest, IL. Finn began rowing while attending Phillips Exeter Academy. This is Finn's first time on a national team. 

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Tax Deductible Contribution
Your donation will go to the National Rowing Foundation and directly support this athlete(s). Your donation is considered tax deductible and you will receive an email receipt with important tax document necessary for any available federal income tax deduction. Thank you again!

To Donate by Check
If you prefer to donate by check - please make your check payable to the National Rowing Foundation write "U23 Team" and the boat name on the memo line and send to 67 Mystic Rd., N. Stonington, CT 06359