Senior Andrew MacMillen is the only Division III athlete on the U.S. roster for the World University Rowing Championships
Tufts senior Andrew MacMillen has been named by USRowing to the initial roster of U.S. athletes who will compete at the 2018 World University Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China—the only Division III student-athlete on a roster which includes ten Division I representatives.
MacMillen, A18, who has been a stalwart of the Jumbo team for four years, will compete as the U.S. men’s single sculler against an international field. The competition will take place August 10-12. Athletes selected will train in Ypsilanti, Michigan, reporting after their respective collegiate seasons end. Both men’s and women’s teams will contest eight events at the 2018 World University Rowing Championships overall, including the eight, four, pair, double sculls, single sculls, lightweight four, lightweight double sculls, and lightweight single sculls.
To be eligible, athletes must be twenty-five or under and pursuing a degree. This group represents the first selected athletes, with an additional thirteen seats to fill.
“Since his first year at Tufts, Andrew has shown a special ability to move boats—a feel for the water which is extremely rare,” said Noel Wanner, Tufts director of rowing. “As a result, Andrew produces far more boat speed than his size and stature would predict. Over his four years with the team, he has increased his commitment to and understanding of training. As a result his physiological capacity is now approaching an elite level. This combination of skill and committed training gives him everything he needs to succeed as he steps up to a higher level of competition.”
During his four years at Tufts, the men’s rowing program has seen rapid growth and renewed success, winning the team a points trophy at the National Invitational Rowing Championships last year. MacMillen was selected by his teammates as a captain after his junior year, and then selected again for his senior season this year.
“Andrew has been an extraordinary teammate, encouraging and supporting everyone around him,” Wanner said. “His performance and leadership have been instrumental in the program’s change, and he will leave the team far stronger than he found it.”
From Hillsborough, California, MacMillen got his start in the sport in 2010 with the Redwood Scullers. In his sophomore season at Tufts, he was first in the collegiate singles at the 2015 Head of the Fish Regatta, a feat he repeated during his junior and senior fall seasons. He was also tenth in the senior single at the 2016 Canadian Henley Regatta. During his spring collegiate season last year, MacMillen was part of the first varsity eight that rowed to sixth place at the National Collegiate Invitational Regatta. He will stroke the Jumbo varsity eight in their spring opener April 7.
“Being selected for the World University Rowing Championships is an incredible honor, and I couldn’t be more excited to race for Coach Hartsuff and Team USA in Shanghai this August,” MacMillen said. “I can’t thank my Tufts rowing teammates and coaches enough for all the support they’ve given me on my journey so far, and I hope that I’ll be able to keep racing internationally after I’ve finished rowing with the Jumbos.”
Director of athletics communications Paul Sweeney can be reached at paul.sweeney@tufts.edu.
