Former pupils gain place at Ivy League universities
Congratulations are in order for two former pupils, Jack Webber (OKS, 2014) and Ralph Elsegood (OKS, 2014) who have places confirmed at Yale and Princeton University respectively.
Ivy League universities have no full scholarships, as such; therefore students who display exceptional levels of academic or sporting excellence are recruited. Jack and Ralph had achieved a great deal whilst rowing at King’s, which increased their chances of acceptance. In addition to this, both received support from rowing coaches at their chosen university, having sought their support in August 2015 after their A level results. Their freedom from exams was short lived, as each sat the SAT 1 and 2s in October and November of last year. Nevertheless, both would like to highlight the considerable amount of support, given by teaching staff at King’s including Director of Rowing, David Blackham and Headmaster Chris Ramsey.
As well as preparing themselves for their move to America, Ralph is currently working in London and rows when possible for the University of London Alumni Club, Tyrian BC. Jack is working and rowing full time at the prestigious Leander Club as part of a crew entered into the Henley Regatta, and, after a brief visit to his hometown, will be setting off to study at Yale in August.
Harry Brightmore (OKS 2012) still training hard to become Britain’s top cox
The Alumni Office was recently contacted by former pupil Harry Brightmore, who started coxing during his time at school and has since gone from strength to strength.
He writes:
‘Since representing the school’s 1st VIII as cox in 2010, 2011 and 2012, I have gone on to be the cox for Oxford Brookes University’s 1st VIII, attaining the title for quickest university crew of 2015 in the UK.
Also, after coxing the Great Britain 4+ at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Varese, Italy in 2014, I have been selected to cox the Great Britain U23 8+ at this years World Rowing U23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. We are currently qualified for the A Final, and race on Sunday. I still have one more year left to trial for the Great Britain U23 team, after which I hope to continue into the Senior Team and potentially onto an Olympic pathway for Tokyo 2020. Although I’ve worked exceptionally hard to reach the position I’m in, it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of UK Sport and The National Lottery who support not only the Seniors and U23s, but also the Great Britain Juniors, some of whom will be Kings Chester athletes later this summer! I also know I wouldn’t have been anywhere near a rowing boat if it weren’t for the fantastic coaching and the opportunities available to me at the school boat house.
I was delighted to hear that there are a couple of King’s students who have also been selected to race for GBR this year, the rowing squad has done fantastically! It’s great to see the boat club continuing the pedigree of high quality rowers’.
We wish him all the very best for the future.