WASHINGTON - Georgetown University Men's Rowing Head Coach Luke Agnini has announced the incoming class for this year's heavyweight and lightweight squads. The 2019 class includes 16 student-athletes who will join the Hoyas for the 2015-16 season.

Francesco Ambrosio
6-1 | 185
Naples, Italy | Liceo Scientifico Sacro Cuore
Ambrosio is the Italian national champion in flatwater kayaking ... He was a participant at the Euros and World Championships trials training camp.
Agnini on Ambrosio: "Francesco is a highly talented athlete. We are excited he will be joining us this fall as a freshman."

Alex Blackwood
6-3 | 191
Chatham, N.J. | Lawrenceville School
Blackwood rowed for PNRA/Mercer, competing at the 2015 Henley Royal Regatta ... His Varsity 8+ squad was a finalist at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Regatta ... He finished second in the U19 8+ at the 2014 Canadian Henley ... Outside of rowing, Blackwood played on the Garden State water polo state championship team.
Agnini on Blackwood: "Alex comes to us with a strong sweep rowing background. We are excited to have him continue his family legacy at Georgetown."

Joe Cecil
6-2 | 160
Alpharetta, Ga. | Johns Creek High School
Cecil served as a team captain for the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association Senior Team ... He helped lead his Varsity 8+ squad to a third-place finish at the 2015 Southeast Regionals Varsity 8+ and a second-place finish at the Head of the Oklahoma.
Agnini on Cecil: "Joe is an experienced athlete who we feel can help our lightweight team reach its goals over the next four years."

Hector Formoso-Murias
5-10 | 155
Key Biscayne, Fla. | Belen Jesuit Prep
Formoso-Murias rowed for the United States at the 2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championship in the Lightweight Single ...He was the 2015 US Rowing U23 World Championship Trials Lightweight Singles Champion ... He was a bronze medalist at the 2015 USRowing Youth National Championships 1x ... He was the 2015 SRAA National Champion in the varsity single and took second place at the 2014 Head of the Charles in the 1x ... Formoso-Murias was voted Belen Jesuit Crew's 2015 Athlete of the Year.
Agnini on Formoso-Murias: "We were happy when Hector decided to continue his family legacy at Georgetown this spring. We were also very impressed by his performance as the top U23 lightweight sculler this summer."

Matthew Fritschen
6-3 | 185
Denver, Colo. | Denver School of Arts
Fritschen was a member of the 2013 USRowing Development Camp ... He placed second at the USRowing Club Nationals in the Junior Men's 8+.
Agnini on Fritschen: "Matthew combines a solid rowing background with being an experienced endurance athlete. We look forward to having him train and race with us during his time at Georgetown."

Joshua Gatcke
6-1 | 180
Jordan Stanton, Ontario | Ridley College / Shawnigan Lake School
Gatcke placed first in the Senior Eight at the 2015 Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) Regatta ... He also took first in the Senior Four at the 2015 CSSRA Regatta ... He competed in the 2015 and 2014 Henley Royal Regattas, placing third in the 2014 Fawley Cup ... He won gold at the 2014 SRAA Regatta in the Senior Men's Four.
Agnini on Gatcke: "Joshua is a highly skilled rowing athlete. His sweep rowing results this past year were impressive. We are looking forward to adding him to the heavyweight roster this year."

Artym Hayda
5-11 | 150
Providence, R.I. | The Wheeler School
Hayda was selected to the 2015 US Junior National Sculling Selection Camp ... He was a two-time champion at the 2015 USRowing Youth Nationals ... He won gold in the NE HS/Jr. Regional Championships 1X ... He also won gold at the USRowing NE Junior District Championships LM2x ... Placed fourth at the 2014 Head of the Charles in the Men's Youth Double ... Hayda also played varsity hockey at The Wheeler School.
Agnini on Hayda: "We were excited to see Artym have such a strong spring racing season. We are happy to be adding him to our lightweight roster this fall."

Normand LeBlanc
5-9 | 148
Nahant, Mass. | Northfield Mount Hermon School
LeBlanc was a two-year varsity captain of the Northfield Mount Hermon School ... He rowed in the stroke seat for Head of the Charles in the Men's Youth 8+ ... Outside of crew, LeBlanc was also the captain of the swim team.
Agnini on LeBlanc: "We are happy Normand will be contributing to our lightweight squad this year. He brings a strong high school experience."

William Mangan
5-11 | 151
Canisius High School
Mangan helped his Lightweight 8+ boat to a third-place finish at the 2015 CSSRA ... He also helped his Lightweight 8+ crew to a state championship in 2014 and a fifth-place finish at the SSRA Regatta.
Agnini on Mangan: "We are fortunate to have William join our team this fall. We look forward to him contributing to our lightweight squad."

Aiden McAleer
6-6 | 192
Riverside, Conn. | Taft School
McAleer rowed four years at Blair Academy where he served as a team captain and was the recipient of the Crew Prize ... In his postgraduate year at the Taft School, he was named a Founder's League All Star.
Agnini on McAleer: "Aiden brings experience, maturity and a long frame for rowing to the team. We look forward to working with him this year."

Kiefer Mueller
6-1 | 165
Rye, N.Y. | Rye High School
Mueller led his 4+ crew to a third-place finish in the C final at the 2015 Youth Nationals ... He won back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015 in the Senior 4+.
Agnini on Mueller: "Kiefer comes to the lightweight team bringing a wealth of sweep racing experience. We look forward to his contribution to our squad."

Emmett Orts
6-2 | 188
Philadelphia, Pa. | Friends Select
Orts comes to the Hilltop after being invited to the 2015 US Junior National Sculling Selection Camp ... He was a finalist at the 2015 USRowing Youth Nationals in the Double A ... He rowed at both the 2014 and2015 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, taking home gold in the U19 Quad ... He also won gold at 2015 SRAA Nationals in the Varsity Doubles and at the 2015 Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Doubles ... Outside of rowing, Orts was also an all-league selection in swimming.
Agnini on Orts: "Emmet is a seasoned competitor and we look forward to him bringing that fight daily to help elevate his performance and that of those around him on the team."

Ethan Rosen
6-3 | 205
North Salem, N.Y. | Peddie School
Rosen was a finalist at the 2015 Stotesbury Regatta in the men's 4+ ... He also placed first at the 2014 IDR Penn AC Youth Regatta in the Varisty 8+. Agnini on Rosen: "Ethan is a strong natural athlete with solid racing experience. We believe he will have an immediate impact on our squad this year." Sam Thacher 6-3 | 185 Piedmont, Calif. | Piedmont High School Thacher helped lead his Oakland Strokes Varsity 8+ crew to a first-place finish at the 2014 Head of the Lagoon ...He was named the 2014 Most Improved Varsity Man ... He also rowed in the 2015 San Diego Crew Classic.
Agnini on Thacher: "We are excited that Sam will be joining us this fall. He has the potential to be a solid contributor to our squad."

Theodor Astrup Wiik
5-10 | 152
Oslo, Norway | Foss Videregaende Skole
Wiik helped lead his crew to a Baltic Cup Championship and is a six-time national champion ... He medaled at the Nordic Championships and stroked the Norwegian Lightweight 4- at the 2014 U23 World Championships.
Agnini on Wiik: "We are excited to bring Theodor's international experience to bear for our lightweight squad. We think he can make an immediate impact on the squad."

Conor Winston
6-1 | 188
Greenwich, Conn. | Brunswick School
Winston earned a bronze medal in the Men's Varsity 8+ at the 2013 NEIRA Regatta ... He was a quarterfinalist at the 2014 Henley Royal Regatta and a finalist at the Stotesbury Cup ... He helped his crew earn bronze at the 2015 National Schools' Championship Regatta ... He served as the swim captain as a senior in 2015.
Agnini on Winston: "Conor comes from a strong eights racing background and should be an impact athlete for us in the coming seasons."

Georgetown opens the fall racing season on Sunday, September 27 at the Head of the Potomac.