PRINCETON, N.J. – USRowing is pleased to announce that nine athletes have been selected to compete in the men’s eight that will represent the U.S. at the 2013 World University Games July 6-8 in Kazan, Russia.
The lineup includes Marist College coxswain Christopher Leonard (White Plains, N.Y.), George Washington University's Kasey Charles Colander (Middlebury, Vt.), University of California, Los Angeles' Jeffrey Latham (Anaheim, Calif.), University of California, Santa Barbara's Luke Wilhelm (Miranda, Calif.), University of Wisconsin's James Letten (Chicago, Ill.), University of Minnesota's Luke Yehlen (Poquoson, Va.), Boston College's Keane Johnson (Los Altos, Calif.), Drexel University's Ian Luetzow (Louisville, Ky.) and University of Pittsburgh's Zachary Petronic (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
“This is only the fourth time that rowing has been included in the World University Games,” said coach Matt Lehrer, who is also director of coaching education at Community Rowing, Inc. “These guys are all representing the United States for the first time; no one has been on a junior, under 23 or senior team.”
The crew is currently training at USRowing Development Club Partner Community Rowing, Inc., in Boston, coached by CRI Executive Director Bruce Smith, CRI Program Director Kane Larin and Lehrer, and is scheduled to race at the 2013 USRowing National Championships next week prior to departing for Russia.
“The guys have been focused on making themselves go fast and we’ve seen a lot of improvement,” said Lehrer. “There has been a huge development curve, and a large uptick in their ability to move the boat.
“We’re all looking forward to visiting ‘the sports city of Russia.’ It will be an Olympic-style festival, complete with an opening ceremony and a variety of other sports. The group is excited to be on the international stage and a part of a bigger Team USA.”
The World University Games, also known as ‘Universiade’ is an international multi-sports event for university athletes, which is organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The first World University Games took place in Paris in May 1923 at the initiative of Frenchman Jean Petitjean. From 1949, the Games were held under the auspices of FISU. There are both Summer and Winter Games, which are held every two years, in odd years. For more information, visit http://www.worldrowing.com/event_categories/world-university-games.