NEW YORK — Columbia Director of Rowing and heavyweight head coach Tom Terhaar along with women's head coach Emerson Curry and lightweight head coach Nich Lee Parker have announced the incoming Lions class.

The diverse class of Lions will represent Columbia College, Barnard College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Columbia Rowing Class of 2027

Women's Rowing

Isabel Bessette – CC – 5'10
Berkeley, Calif. | Berkeley

HIGH SCHOOL: Rowed for Berkeley High Crew in Berkeley, California for three years… Recipient of the coaches award in 2021.. Graduated with honors.

PERSONAL: Born August 7, 2005 in Berkeley, California.

Alexandra Cardwell – CC – 5'11
Minneapolis, Minn. | St. Paul Academy and Summit School

HIGH SCHOOL: Competed at Head of the Charles 2021 and 2022… Finished 18th in 2021 in the Women's Youth 4+... Finished 2nd at Summer Nationals in 2023... Team Excellence Award from Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club… Member of National Scholastic Press Association Honor Roll.

PERSONAL: Born August 18, 2004 in Edina, Minnesota… Daughter of Alycya and Joe Cardwell… Father Joe rowed at Princeton… Has a brother John.

Merrill Gadsden – CC – 6'2
Philadelphia, Pa. | William Penn Charter School

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time Athletics Department Coaches' Award recipient… Gold medal at Philadelphia City Championships in 2021 (novice 4x)...  Captain of varsity rowing and water polo senior year… Cum Laude Society, High Honors, US History Award, French Award, Global Seal of Biliteracy in French and English.

PERSONAL: Born October 20, 2004 in South Bend, Indiana… Daughter of Amy and William Gadsden… Has a younger sister Chelsea and twin sister Lindsay who rows at Williams College.

Hope Gelfand – CC – 5'8
Seattle, Wash. | Holy Names Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Finished first in the Women's Eight at Northwest Youth Championship and Windermere Cup regattas in 2023… Finished first in the Women's 4 at 2022 NW Youth Champs… Invited to U19 Selection Camp in 2022… Valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, Metro Scholar-Athlete of the Year, AP Scholar with Distinction.

PERSONAL: Born May 22, 2005 in Port Angeles, Washington… Daughter of Kristin Ballinger (Columbia Law '98) and Jason Gelfand… Swam competitively for 10 years before starting rowing in the fall of junior year… Rowed for Holy Names Academy Crew.

Aliya Greenberg – BC – 5'6
Marin County, Calif. | San Domenico Upper School

HIGH SCHOOL: Roger Barbey Award (Outstanding Novice 2021)... Fifth place at Head of the Charles Youth Women's 8+ 2022… Fourth Place Youth National Championships Youth Women's 2v8+ in 2023… Second place San Diego Crew Classic Youth Women's 2v8+ in 2023… Second place Southwest Youth Regionals Youth Women's 2v8+... Second place Southwest Youth Regionals Youth Women's 2v4+... Rowed for Marin Rowing Association.

PERSONAL: Born October 4, 2004 in San Francisco, California… Daughter of Julie Ansara and Andy Greenberg… Has a sister Siena.

Giordan Ismael – CC – 5'10
Wyckoff, N.J. | Kent Place School

HIGH SCHOOL: Rowed for City Island Rowing Varsity all four years… Captain of the rowing team senior year… Recipient of Coaches Award 2022… Recipient of Head Coaches Award 2023… Stroked the 1V 8+ at Head of the Charles in 2021 and 2022… Cum Laude Society and National Honors Society.

PERSONAL: Born October 10, 2004 in Ridgewood, New Jersey… Mother Alison ran track and field at Duke University… Father Moe rowed crew at Duke University.

Maya Jhamb – CC – 5'7
Greenwich, Conn. | Greenwich

HIGH SCHOOL: Rowed at Greenwich Crew Second place in the Youth 8+ at 2022 Youth Nationals (stroke seat)... Third place in the Youth 2nd 8 at 2023 Youth Nationals (stroke seat)... Greenwich High School Principal's Award.

PERSONAL: Born in Greenwich, Connecticut… Mother Neetu Jhamb was a Barnard College graduate and father Sumeet Jhamb was a Columbia College graduate… Has a brother Jai who is a rower with Greenwich Crew… Has a sister Leena who is a rower with the MIT openweight women's team.

Isabella Knapp – CC – 5'11
Manhasset, N.Y. | Manhasset

HIGH SCHOOL: 2019 Rower of the Year… Gold Medal Saratoga Invitational Regatta 2023… Women's U19 4x Gold Medal Saratoga Invitational Regatta 2022… Women's U19 four-time Gold Medal Strong Island Erg Sprints 2k Race Winter… 2023 Silver Medal New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships… Women's U19 4x Silver Medal Gold Coast Classic Erg Sprints 2k Race Winter 2023… Silver Medal Mercer Lake Super Sprints ISA Championships 2022… Women's two-time Silver Medal Long Island Opioid Awareness Regatta 2018… Women's U19 8+ Silver Medal Long Island Opioid Awareness Regatta 2018… Women's U17 *+ Bronze Medal Head of the Riverfront Regatta 2022… Women's U19 4x Bronze Medal Saratoga Invitational 2023… Women's U19 4x Bronze Medal Saratoga Invitational 2023… Women's U19 2x 15th place at USRowing Youth Nationals 2023…. National Honor Society… High Honor Roll Art Honor Society…  Spanish Honor Society  Science Honor Society…  English Honor Society…  Social Studies Honor Society National Hispanic Merit Scholar Manhasset Service & Citizenship Award (for over 85 hours of volunteer service)... Student Athlete Leadership Team - Treasurer (club members chosen by school board nomination)... SAAWA Science Fair Honorable Mention 2021…  LISC Science Fair Honorable Mention 2022…  Scholastic Art and Writing Honorable Mention 2019… AP Scholar Awards 2022 & 2023.

PERSONAL: Born October 20, 2005 in New York, N.Y… Daughter of Melissa and Jon Knapp… Has a sister Lily.

Noa Klein – CC – 5'8
New York, N.Y. | Hewitt School

HIGH SCHOOL: Rowed for Thunder Crew in Vancouver, Canada for two years… Recipient of Coaches award in 2021… Rowed for City Island Rowing for one year… Captain of the varsity rowing team at CIR… Recipient of Coaches Award in 2021… Sat 7 Seat in the 1V 8+ at Head of the Charles 2022… Honors with Distinction… Honor Society member.

PERSONAL: Born September 1, 2005 in Portland, Oregon… Daughter of Mike Klein and Lee Anne Henrico… Played basketball for eight years.

Kiley Martin – CC – 5'10
Southborough, Mass. | Tabor Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Honor roll every year

PERSONAL: Born January 16, 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts… Started rowing her junior year of high school.

Sophia Simenz – CC – 6'0
Whitefish Bay, Wis. | Whitefish Bay

HIGH SCHOOL: Milwaukee Rowing Club Captain… 12th at Nationals in the Women's 1v8 2023, the best placement in the Women's 8 in club history... 14th at Head of the Charles Regatta 2022… Member of 1v8 and 1v4 since sophomore year... Member of the first boat to qualify the 1v8 for nationals in 8 years for the Milwaukee Rowing Club… Played varsity basketball until junior year… Mathnasium Award Winner and PTO Award Winner in 2023.

PERSONAL: Born January 3, 2005 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin… Daughter of Chris and Stacy Simenz… Has a brother Quentin… Sophia was a multi-sport athlete growing up.

Lightweight Rowing

Jaime Biton – CC – 5'10
Miami, Fla. | Miami Beach Senior

HIGH SCHOOL: AP Scholar with Distinction… National Honor Society… Science Honor Society… 2022 Head of the Hooch Silver 4x (open weight)... 2022 Southeast Regionals 4th 2x (open weight)... 2022 US Nationals 2x (open weight)... 2022 Florida State Silver 4x LW… 2022 Florida State Bronze 8+ LW… 2021 Head of the Hooch Bronze 4+ LW.

PERSONAL: Born September 13, 2004 in Miami, Florida… Son of Jose and Shoshana Biton… Has a brother Daniel and a sister Sofia.

Mrin Chilkoti – CC – 5'10
London, England | St Paul's School

HIGH SCHOOL: Henley Royal Regatta Princess Elizabeth Winner in 2022 (St Paul's School)... GBR U18 Indoor Erg Marathon Record Holder… Wallingford Regatta 8's winner in 2022… Wallingford Regatta 4- winner in 2022.

PERSONAL: Born April 30, 2004 in Nainital, India.

Gonzalo Cortes – SEAS – 6'0
Miami, Fla. | MAST Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Principal's Honor Roll and Honor Roll… AP Scholar with Distinction Award… Magna Cum Laude… Vice President for two years.

PERSONAL: April 29, 2005 in Mexico City, Mexico… Has a brother that goes to Boston College and a sister that goes to Stanford.

Edward Habboosh – CC – 5'11
Hamden, Conn. | The Taft School

HIGH SCHOOL: Rowed on the varsity rowing team from sophomore to senior year… Rower on the 1st Boat junior and senior year… Elected as captain senior year… Led the team to win two League Cup Regattas (Dupont Cup and Smith Cup)... Placed first in the 2022 NEIRA Boys first four Petite Final… Founders All-League Award for Boys Varsity Crew in 2022… AP Scholar with Honor and Distinction… Began rowing freshman year of high school as a novice on the 6th Boat, was on the 1st boat by junior year.

PERSONAL: Born June 17, 2002 in Hamden, Connecticut… Son of May and Samir Habboosh… Has two sisters: Noor Habboosh '14CC and Dunia Habboosh '21CC… Dunia was an athlete on the Women's Rowing team at Columbia.

Amir LaGasse – SEAS – 5'8
Newton, Mass. | Newton North

HIGH SCHOOL: Honor Roll all four years… Engineering Certificate… Second in the U23 Lightweight Single in 2023… Sixth in the Pair at Youth Nationals in 2022.

PERSONAL: Born June 19, 2003 in Newton, Massachusetts.

Barnett Pesin – CC – 5'10
Miami, Fla. | Coral Reef Senior

HIGH SCHOOL: National Merit Finalist.

PERSONAL: Born November 21, 2004 in Miami, Florida.

Finn Regan – CC – 6'1
London, England | Richmond Park Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Won at Henley Royal Regatta in 2021 (Fawley Challenge Cup) and 2022 (Wyfold Challenge Cup)... 2021 National Champions in 4x with Tideway Scullers School.

PERSONAL: Born January 6, 2003 in London, England… Younger sister rows at Oxford Brookes, won Henley Women's Regatta… Younger brother rows at Tideway Scullers… Started rowing at 14 years old.

Danny Schaffer – CC – 6'2
Bradenton, Fla. | The Out-of-Door Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Cum Laude Society… Head's List… Honor Roll… 2022 Book Award. 

PERSONAL: Born November 9, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania… Lived in Philadelphia, then moved and lived in St. Louis for four years… Son of Sena and Andras Schaffer… Has a brother named Andrew, who is also a rower… Played competitive tennis on the national level since he was 12 years old... Reached a personal best national tennis ranking of No. 118 in the country… Won regionals with the Varsity Tennis Team for his school…. Started rowing in the fall of his junior year with Sarasota Crew.

Sam Subramaniam – SEAS – 6'2
Greenwich, Conn. | Brunswick School

HIGH SCHOOL: Honor roll for three years and high honor roll for a year.

PERSONAL: Born January 29, 2005 in London, England… Son of Toni and Rama Subramaniam… Has a sister Hannah who swam at UChicago… Has a sister Bella who goes to Barnard… Has a brother Olive… Rowed and competed extensively primarily in a single as well as a double.

Heavyweight Rowing

Henry Blakemore – CC – 6'6
London, England | Phillips Exeter Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Started rowing sophomore year at Exeter... Earned two varsity letters in rowing… Junior year finished undefeated in regular racing, 2nd at NEIRA's and 25th in the country at Youth Nationals... Rowed for USRowing U20 OP High Performance Junior Summer at Club Nationals in the top 8.

PERSONAL: Born in London, England.

Nick Gonzalez – CC – 6'1
Long Beach, Calif | Long Beach Polytechnic

HIGH SCHOOL: 2023 USRowing National Championships Bronze Medalist in the Men's Youth Varsity 8... 2022 USRowing Southwest Regional Championships Silver Medalist in the Men's Youth Varsity 8… Long Beach Poly High School Honor Roll recipient… AP Scholar with Honor award.

Harry Halper – CC – 6'1
Brigantine, N.J. | The Lawrenceville School

HIGH SCHOOL: Captain of The Lawrenceville School Crew Team in 2023… Coached and mentored by Benjamin T. Wright… Finished 4th at Stotesbury Cup Regatta in the Junior 8+ in 2023… Claimed the MAPL Championships and the Brown Cup all years at Lville U19 US National… Indoor Rowing Championships 2023 (Gold)... U19 World Indoor Rowing Championships 2023, Mississauga, Canada (Bronze)... 5th to complete the SawMill Challenge in The Lawrenceville School rowing history… Received the Tiihonnen Award (for displayed loyalty and outstanding ability during the season).

PERSONAL: Born January 4, 2005 in New York City… Son of Megan and Brady Halper… Has a younger brother, Henri… Inspired to row by his Grandfather (Dr. Albert Duchnowski, Professor Emeritus, USF), who coxed St. Joe's Prep to win the Stotesbury Cup in 1955.

Grant McCurdy – CC – 6'0
Sarasota, Fla. | Venice

HIGH SCHOOL: Finished third in V8+ at 2022 Youth Nationals.

PERSONAL: Born March 18, 2005 in Johnson, Arkansas.

Colton Millar – CC – 6'3
Sarasota, Fla. | Pineview

HIGH SCHOOL : Placed third at National champions… Raced U19 worlds with the Junior National Team.

PERSONAL: Born August 4, 2005 in Mt. Kisco, New York.

August Michels – CC – 6'5
Pittsburg, Pa. | The McCallie School

HIGH SCHOOL: Won 2022 SRAA Junior Varsity 8+... Coaches Award for Excellence.. Headmasters List and Honor Roll.

PERSONAL: Born August 27, 2004 in Stamford, Connecticut… Son of Elizabeth and Mark Michels… Has brothers Benjamin and Berend Michels… Lived in Amsterdam for 5 years.

Conor Parks – CC – 6'7
Tiburon, Calif. | Brentwood College School

HIGH SCHOOL: Captain of high school rowing team… Academic and athletic colors.

PERSONAL: Born November 15, 2004 in San Francisco, California… Son of Shirley and David Parks… Has an older sister Fiona who rides collegiate equestrian.

Victor Popovic – CC – 6'0
Belgrade, Serbia | Third Belgrade

PERSONAL: Born April 25, 2004 in Belgrade, Serbia… Has a brother finishing Med School back in Serbia… Brother is the reason he started rowing… Has been rowing for the Serbian National Team for four years… Participated in two World Championships and two European Championships… Finished third in a straight four.

Barney Russell – CC – 6'3
London, England | St. Paul's School

HIGH SCHOOL: Won a silver medal in Championship Eights at the 2023 National Schools Regatta in the UK… Junior Academic Scholarship at St. Paul's School.

PERSONAL: Born October 20, 2004 in London, England.

Cornelia Streeter – CC – 5'2
Madison, Conn. | Deerfield Academy

HIGH SCHOOL: Cum Laude Society.

PERSONAL: Born October 15, 2004 in New York, New York… Daughter of Rebecca and Gordon Streeter… Has a sister Delphine.

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