2026 U23 Summer Scullers

We welcome ten U23 rowers and two program coaches to the Outdoor Center for a summer of training. These athletes will be working to build their small boat skills in Craftsbury for the next month while contributing to the Center’s mission via various work projects. They will then travel to Princeton, NJ for U23 world trials (July 3-5) with the hopes of racing qualifying for the U23 World Champs in Duisburg, Germany (July 23-26) or heading to Canadian Henley (August 4-9).

Carly Abarbanel - Coach

I'm from Springfield, MA, and I am entering year four of coaching at Duke University. I learned to row as a novice at Wellesley College, graduating in 2012, and I continued rowing at Riverside and Potomac as I spent nearly 9 years teaching and working in education. After coaching high school programs on the side, I launched into full-time coaching at Bates College in 2021, helping Bates secure a national championship title alongside two other podium finishes. 

At Craftsbury, I am excited to work with the next generation of elite U23 athletes as they pursue national team, collegiate, and international racing goals. I love New England, and a couple months in the Vermont woods coaching top-notch athletes alongside a wonderful community is truly the dream. 

Katy Ruderman - Coach

Hi! My name is Katy Ruderman and I just wrapped up year one as the Bucknell University women's rowing head coach. Last summer I coached Team USA's PR3 4+ at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai. I am excited to be at Craftsbury coaching this summer and working with a fun and fast group of GRP athletes and coaches.  

Sam Boogaert

I am from Ridgewood, New Jersey, and I will be a senior at Skidmore College. I'm majoring in environmental science and have a history minor. I'm looking forward to rowing with all the GRP athletes and helping around the Outdoor Center.

Sophia Cavalieri

I’m from Baldwinsville, NY and am a rising junior at the University of Virginia where I’m studying environmental science. I am excited to be at Craftsbury to develop my small boat and sculling skills and be a part of Craftsbury’s mission of sustainability!

Andrew Ehlers

I am from Athens, GA and attend the University of Virginia where I am majoring in philosophy and cognitive science. This summer I am looking forward to developing my small boat skills in an elite environment with competitive racing. I am also excited to support the Craftsbury community by helping out around the Outdoor Center and the surrounding land. 

(photo by Karl Cheng)

Ben Harper

My name is Ben (The Horse) Harper and I'm ecstatic to be able to return to Craftsbury and develop my sculling abilities. I'm a biology major and environmental science minor from Marietta College and hope to contribute to the Center’s mission towards sustainability which in turn is what makes it such a wonderful place. I had a glimpse of what was possible last summer and would like to take that to the next level this year. Go Sprigs!

Katie Koleto

I am from Basking Ridge, NJ, and I just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Rutgers University. I will also be pursuing a master’s degree at Rutgers next year while I use my last year of NCAA rowing eligibility. I am super excited to grow as a sculler this summer, do some high quality training, and give back to the environment and Craftsbury community!

Cillian Mullen

Hello! My name is Cillian Mullen and I am a recent graduate from the University of Washington, majoring in environmental studies with a minor in arctic studies. I am originally from Illinois, and spent my first collegiate season rowing at the University of Virginia. I've spent the last three summers training out of Craftsbury on the GRP U23 team, and I'm looking forward to more time getting my hands dirty in the gardens and figuring out how to put my blade in! Go Sprigs!

Alex Pearson

I’m from Tustin, California, and I attend the University of California, Berkeley, where I study psychology. I’m looking forward to spending the summer training in small boats, helping around the Outdoor Center, and experiencing a Vermont summer while being part of the Craftsbury community.

(photos by KLC fotos and Hale Brown Photo)

Owen Robertson

I am from Decatur, Georgia and I attend Purdue University studying aerospace engineering. I found rowing when I got to campus in the fall of 2023, my freshman year. I am looking forward to continuing to train hard and learning to row small boats in a new environment. I am also excited to work and spend time in Craftsbury contributing to the community. 

Jack Wagner

My name is Jack Wagner, and I'm from Melrose, Massachusetts. I am a political science and economics major at Williams College. I am excited to be immersed in an elite training environment surrounded by like-minded athletes, and I'm especially looking forward to improving my small boat skills. I am also excited to focus on environmental stewardship and hope to develop some environmental skills and perspectives I can bring back to Williamstown.

Dylan West

I’m from San Jose, California, and I attend the University of Washington, where I study political economy. This summer, I’m excited to develop my small-boat skills and be part of a community that values both high-performance rowing and sustainability.

(photos by Jeff Becthold/Redbox Pictures)