University of Michigan Men's Rowing Team

Senior Shoutout #16
Ben Woodmansee
6’4 205lbs

It’s summer 2024, and I’m working in the microbiology lab at the Michigan Biological Station. I glance out the window, and what do I see but a man’s head floating back and forth, red hair ablaze in the sun, sweat pouring down his cheeks, a look of pure agony and grit etched on his features. Benjamin Woodmansee, a living legend rivaling American heroes like Paul Bunyan or John George Cook, was the first Michigan Rower I ever met and the perfect person to introduce and represent the team.

I think Woody truly embodies what it means to be a Michigan rower. No matter what, you could always count on Woody to push his hardest. From savvy 2F bow pair to gritty pair warrior, and eventually rusty 1V engine room, Woody’s storied career will live on in team memory. His grit and perseverance shone through when racing the Liumansee pair whilst sporting a broken rib, and then rebounding from a second broken rib to make the 2V. Through brutal summers of fieldwork, Woody got up with the sun and got the work done, washing his only uni in well water, in keeping with the ancient Greek teachings.

Woody is one of the most well rounded, multitalented people I’ve ever met. He’s the only person I know to have started his own club at Michigan. He’s the most Big Red resident ever, to the extent that some frosh thought the name was referring to Woody himself, and Multiple Michigan tennis players credit Woody for making the VTC “the most electric atmosphere in collegiate sports”.

As a person, Woody is kind, gleeful, and sincere. Simply put, he brings joy to those around him, making everyone’s day a little better with an enticing business proposal or a cereal club reel idea. And beneath a playful exterior, Woody sincerely cares for his teammates, keeping us accountable and holding us to a high standard.

While it saddens me to say that the South Quad dining may never ring out again with the peals of Woody’s laughter, I know he’s moving on to bigger and better things in his PhD program. Woody, don’t forget your roots when you’re rowing for a coasty “funded” team, and, as my old man always used to say, “never count a Woodmansee out”.
-Jasper

Senior shoutout #15

Frederick Aldinger
6’4 205lbs

My first interaction with Freddy was during an open boathouse freshman year. I saw him, and my first thought was, “Woah, this is the largest guy I have ever seen.” For most of my freshman fall, I was honestly a little scared by him. Now that I actually know Freddy, I can confidently say he’s one of the greatest people I have the privilege of knowing, a true national treasure, and one of my closest friends on the team.

If I had to describe Freddy in one word, it would be grit. Freddy has national-team amounts of dock speed, so it’s no surprise his rowing career has been incredibly successful. As a freshman, he won gold in the 1F, and after that he spent the rest of his rowing career in either the 1V or 2V. He won this year’s anaerobic tournament and has earned both the Most Improved Novice and Varsity Man awards.

Freddy is extremely consistent. He’s one of the most determined and driven people I think I’ve ever met, and in all my time around him, I genuinely don’t think I’ve heard him complain. Whether it’s a hard workout, a seat race, or just steady state, Freddy shows up, puts his head down, and gets the job done. He’s level-headed, humble, dependable, and just a fantastic guy. He truly embodies the ideal traits of a Michigan Rower.

Honestly, I have so many good things to say about Freddy that I just could not fit in to 300 words. His character made writing this shoutout so incredibly easy because there is so much to appreciate about him. I feel so lucky I got to know him.

Freddy, we are going to miss you dearly. Thank you for being an incredible teammate and a great friend. The Mud won’t be the same without you
-JR

Senior Shoutout #11
Evan Klein
5’11
190lbs

“There he sang of Chief Evan Klein, 
Sang the song of Chief Evan Klein, 
Sang his wondrous birth and being, 
How he rowed, so long and flowing, 
How he lived, retained, and suffered, 
Backed it in so good, he’s early!
That the maize-clad shells might prosper, 
That he might strengthen his brethren!”
*to be read in trochaic tetrameter, à la Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha
Damir Martin once said in an interview: “In rowing, if you can’t be tall, be wide”. I think Evan Klein is the epitome of this saying. Never one to let height influence his selection, Evan’s determination and aggression landed him in a wide variety of boats, from the 2F to the 1V. 
As stroke seat of the most dominant 2F in living memory (although he allegedly could’ve made the 1F), Evan developed a chieftain-like leadership style and a 2F gritfest mentality. He then promptly cemented his status as a perennial 3 seat, being both far too strong to be bow pair but far too savvy to sit in the stern. Evan is one of the most observant rowers I’ve ever met—as his bucket partner, I would estimate that he observed over 60% of his strokes. Evan is, to my knowledge, the only Michigan rower to win Wolverbuck in both A and B boats, cementing his status as the 1V’s “missing key”. 
I’ll remember Evan for his eccentricities. On the water, you could find him punching himself on the arms between pieces or speaking to himself in the 3rd person. At races, he would stuff a backpack full of powders and gels, and use the majority of the food tent water bottles crafting assorted concoctions and potions. 
I will also remember Evan for his strong competitive spirit and dogged self belief. His eccentricities were only overshadowed by his work ethic and passion, both for the sport and for his team. We’ll certainly miss him next year.
-Jasper Mitchell

Members who stayed in Ann Arbor this summer came together to race at the RowFest Club Championships in Ypsilanti. The Wolverines lined up against summer rowing club programs like Vesper, New York Athletic Club, and others. Against some tough competition, we finished 4th in the U23 Men’s 8+ event.

Row Blue!

Senior Shoutout #8
Lucas Allen
6’0
175lbs

Last year, the name Lucas Allen floated around the team like a myth-a legend of some sort. He was someone the upperclassmen talked about and would say, “Man, I wish he was still on the team.” I never thought I would really get to know him, but I’m so incredibly glad that Lucas decided to come back for his senior year.
Lucas and I were both injured for the majority of the year, so we got to spend a lot of time together. We set up the new speaker system, installed mirrors, fixed many ergs, and built a pretty dandy shelf. If you’ve ever been injured, you know it really sucks, but throughout the many months we spent watching practices and doing tasks, Lucas never had a negative attitude. No matter what, he always found a way to make the most of the situation.
Lucas is the kind of person who makes everyone feel welcome. He gives really good advice, he’s level headed, and he’s just a genuinely great guy. When I look back on this school year, some of my favorite memories on the team weren’t from the brief time I spent on the water. They were the pallets that I destroyed, the Pokémon Go walks during two-a-day practices, and the time I spent with Lucas.
I’m grateful I really got to know Lucas this year. Everything I heard about him was more than true, but what stood out to me even more than that was the kind of person he is. Lucas is humble, gritty, dependable, empathetic, and, all around, just an amazing dude who makes the team a better place.
Early in the fall, my mom asked me, “Who is this Lucas Allen guy?” After hearing me talk about him, she now knows him solely as “the GOAT,” and, to be honest, I don’t think I could describe him any better.
We’ll miss you, Lucas.

Senior shoutout #8
Zach Hutchings
6’1
170lbs

Zach was one of the first guys I met on the team, and really one of the first people I met at Michigan. From the get go I could tell that not only was he a leader on the team, but one that didn’t take himself too seriously and was always around to help anyone who asked. As my varsity buddy, he welcomed me onto the team and gave constant support throughout my freshman year on the novice squad and when I joined him on varsity.

Everyone for the past many years knows Zach to be an absolute tech silker guru, and despite not necessarily being one of the big boys, he certainly shot above his weight class not losing a single seat race while on the team (obviously not counting that one time that Tractor Joe claims he and Zach tied). From stroking the 2023 1F to a ACRA gold, making the 1v as a sophomore and senior, and bouncing back from a spooky rib injury to squeak into Michigan’s most prestigious boat (3v Hoopers), Zach has proved he’s got the special sauce.

From my too brief of a time with him I’ve seen that Zach is the guy to always rise to any occasion with a cool head and a smile. He has set an amazing example of what a rower, team member, student (surprisingly), and all around person should be. I and the rest of the team will miss you, Papa, and when you can send me your new address so we can ship you the Mary Mobility Scooter.

- Sebastian Briano

Senior Shoutout #1
Jaiden Schraut
6’3
185lbs
To sum up Jaiden in a senior shoutout is not an easy task. I’ve heard him aptly compared to a mysterious yet successful cousin straight out of Crazy Rich Asians. He’s enigmatic, seemingly nonchalant and yet successful at whatever he sets his mind to. He can often be seen sauntering around with a pair of sunglasses on and that classic Doobie smirk. In the Barracks, seeing Doob was like spotting a tiger in the jungles of Nepal – a rare sighting of some magnificent creature.
On the water, Jaiden is an unsolved mystery. Despite shall we say explosive erg tests, his efficiency and length led him to many victories, both over teammates (myself included) and countless other teams (I’m pretty sure he has the most betting shirts of any Michigan rower ever). Whenever a boat was not going well, you could count on Doob to take a glance at the oars behind him, smile to himself and shake his head, enjoying a private joke at the expense of our questionable rowing. 
Jaiden has a powerful mind, and he put it to work on the water and for our team. He was a mentor and a resource for many of the freshmen, always willing to listen and give his 2 cents (even though he usually resorted to showing us the same video of his 1F from the Bucknell dual (did you know they were up a length off the start?)). I’ll forever cherish our in-depth South Quad lunch conversations covering everything from the fate of my 1F to the future of AI.
Many will remember Jaiden for the great rower that he was. However, I will remember Jaiden for the great friend that he is. For all the 5th gatherings and Barracks Rangfu and spikeball. For his weird “business calls” and 6 AM morning practice Costco podcasts. For innovating new snot rocket techniques and glazing Harry Sanders. While his undying commitment to length and efficiency has certainly affected me, his greatest impact has been as a mentor, a teammate, and a great friend.
-Jasper Mitchell

Huge congratulations to our 3rd Varsity 8+ for taking care of business in Oak Ridge this past weekend.

The 3v capped off an undefeated season by winning gold, finishing 3 seconds ahead of 2nd place.

Row Blue!

ACRA Day 3
Finals

ACRA Day 2

Semifinals and Finals