Rowing honors
University alumni compete at international level in summer events
9:17 a.m., Sept. 29, 2015--University of Delaware alumni Colin Ethridge and Will Purman made notable waves this summer in competitive international rowing at the Pan Am Games and the World Rowing Championships.
Both Ethridge and Purman are former competitors on the UD men’s club crew team, led by head coach Chuck Crawford.
Sports Stories
Rower honored
Unsung Hero
A 2011 grad with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Ethridge competed first at the Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada, and then at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France.
At the Pan Am Games, Ethridge won silver in the lightweight men’s double (two-person) sculls and finished fifth in the quadruple sculls.
Ethridge then finished fifth for the USA in the quadruple sculls at the World Rowing Championships, which took place Aug. 30-Sept. 6.
Purman, a 2013 graduate with a degree in management information systems, also competed at the World Rowing Championships, representing Puerto Rico.
He finished 20th out of 32 countries in the lightweight men’s single sculls, a notable finish for the country.
“I am satisfied with my result as this was my first World Championships,” says Purman. “I was able to pull competitive times but I hope to return next year with a full year of training and make the A final (top six).”
Up next for Purman is the Latin American Olympic qualification regatta next March in Chile. His goal is to place top six in the single sculls to then qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
According to Purman, “Puerto Rico has not qualified a boat for the Olympics in a long time, so I hope I can change that.”
Both rowers are affiliated with the Malta Boat Club in Philadelphia.
Article by Michelle Rind
Photo courtesy U.S. Rowing