The Presidents’ Challenge 2024

THE PRESIDENTS’ CHALLENGE 2024

The History of the Challenge

The Presidents’ Challenge dates back to 1829 after two friends from Harrow School, Charles Wordsworth (nephew of the poet William Wordsworth), of Christ Church College, Oxford, and Charles Merivale of St. John’s College, Cambridge, met during the vacation in Cambridge and decided to set up a challenge.

2024 will mark the 169th Men’s Boat Race and the 78th Women’s Boat Race.

After the clean sweep in 2023 Cambridge lead Oxford in both the Men’s and Women’s races (86-81 for the Men and 47-30 for the Women)

The Challengers

Louis Corrigan - Oxford Men

Ella Stadler - Oxford Women

“On behalf of Oxford University Boat Club, I hereby challenge Cambridge University Boat Club to an eight-oared race over The Championship Course on Sunday 26th March 2023”

“On Behalf of Cambridge University Boat Club, I accept your challenge“

The Defenders

Seb Benzercry - Cambridge Men

Jenna Armstrong - Cambridge Women

Meet the Presidents

Louis Corrigan

OUBC Men’s President

Course: Medicine

College: Wadham College

“The medical profession has long been an interest and aspiration of mine, and the course at Oxford is particularly suited to the way I wanted to learn the subject.”

Louis first started rowing at The King's School, Chester and coxed Isis, the Men’s reserve crew in 2022 and 2023.

“The Isis-Goldie race in 2022 was something special. Our crew was both a dominant force on the water and really tight knit off the water, I'll be tied to those guys for life. “

“Winning this year would be the highlight of a lifetime, not just a career.”

Ella Stadler

OUBC Women’s President

Course: MPhil History of Science, Medicine and Technology

College: Exeter College

“Sport and the Olympics have always crept into my studies, but the breadth of this course enables research on almost any topic related to studies of the body, and I've really enjoyed it.”

Starting as a novice at Exeter College BC,Ella’s dedication earned her a seat in the 2023 Blue Boat.

“My dad kept telling me I'd be good at rowing; naturally, I didn't take it up, not wanting to prove him right. In 2019, I watched the Boat Race with him, having just received my Oxford undergrad offer, and it was the first rowing I'd ever seen. I got a bit hooked...“

“Winning the Boat Race in 2024 would be the best way to end my five years here.”

Seb Benzecry

CUBC Men’s President

Course: PhD in Film and Screen Studies

College: Jesus College

“I've always loved film, and I started exploring film academically while at Princeton. When I saw that Cambridge offered an MPhil in Film and Screen Studies, I knew immediately that I wanted to be there.”

Seb has a distinguished rowing career, rowing in the Blue Boat in 2021 and 2023 and in Goldie (Men’s Reserves) in 2022.

“Having experienced the highs and lows of this amazing, unique race over the past three years, I think capping off my time at Cambridge with a win in my fourth year would be fantastic“

“I want every Cambridge athlete to experience the absolute, unbridled joy that is winning The Boat Race.”

Jenna Armstrong

CUBC Women’s President

Course: Physiology

College: Jesus College

“I study mitochondrial function in placentas from women from all over the world! It is fascinating to learn about how genetic factors and environmental factors during pregnancy influence placental metabolism and impact the health of both mother and baby.”

Jenna raced in Blondie, the women’s reserve boat in 2022 before stepping up to the Blue Boat in 2023.

“I was an alpine skier through high school. After a few knee injuries, I was unable to compete in alpine skiing anymore. In my first university class ever, a member of the Bates College rowing team invited me to give rowing a try. The rest is history!”

“Crossing the finish line first the past two years was the most incredible feeling. I would love nothing more than to experience that one more time!”

Students attending the Challenge

Cambridge University Boat Club

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

Luke Beever

Course:

Engineering

College:

Emmanuel

Height:

191cm

Started Rowing:

2017

Luke followed his brother into rowing at King’s School Worcester and hasn’t looked back. Winning in Goldie in 2023 Luke is keen to repeat that success.

“Good sleep and nutrition are the easiest ways to get the most of your training!”

Key strengths:

Speed | Endurance | Tactical Awareness

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧🇨🇭

Carys Earl

Course:

Medicine

College:

Gonville and Caius

Height:

178cm

Started Rowing:

2021

Carys watched the Boat Race growing up although admits supporting her home team Oxford. Following an introduction to indoor rowing at school she’s now a proud member of the Cambridge team.

“You have to enjoy the process not just the winning”

Key strengths:

Power | Endurance | Strength

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

Luca Ferraro

Course:

Classics

College:

King’s

Height:

190cm

Started Rowing:

2017

Luca has rowed in the Blue Boat in both 2022 and 2023 as well as represented GB at U23 level. Having exhausted all other sports he eventually settled on rowing and joined Lea RC.

“Winning again would mean everything.”

Key strengths:

Endurance | Tactical Awareness | Strength

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

Molly Foxell

Course:

Linguistics

College:

Pembroke

Height:

172cm

Started Rowing:

2015

Molly figured her strong arms would be an asset in a rowing boat and like Luca Ferraro joined Lea RC. Other than winning the Boat Race Molly would quite like a little red box.

“Trust the process”

Key strengths:

Power | Coordination | Technical Ability

CAMBRIDGE

🇫🇷

🇬🇧

Clara Green

Course:

Graduate Medicine

College:

Lucy Cavendish

Height:

175cm

Started Rowing:

2021

Clara describes herself as a friendly, analytical and funny teammate and cites Imogen Grant as her sporting hero.

“Success in 2024 would be a huge accomplishment given it will take place a year after I had a major surgery”

Key strengths:

Power | Tactical Awareness | Strength

CAMBRIDGE

🇨🇦

Dane Halkiw

Course:

MPhil in Management

College:

Jesus

Height:

206cm

Started Rowing:

2014

Aside from impressive rowing credentials and Olympic ambitions, Dane is also a freelance painter and performer's level pianist.

Dane grew up watching the Boat Race with his family in Canada and is a huge fan of Ayrton Senna.

Key strengths:

Power | Endurance | Strength

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

Megan Lee

Course:

MPhil in Management

College:

Lucy Cavendish

Height:

180cm

Started Rowing:

2017

A former competitive swimmer Lucy describes herself as a big fan of the erg and won’t be found without her neoprene socks in cold weather.

“I want to help keep Cambridge as the dominating force.”

Key strengths:

Speed | Endurance | Tactical Awareness

CAMBRIDGE

🇫🇷

Noam Mouelle

Course:

PhD Particle Physics

College:

Hughes Hall

Height:

191cm

Started Rowing:

2010

Noam says he doesn’t know what good rowing feels like, we’re not sure we believe him, especially after his success in the 2023 Blue Boat.

“Be water my friend.”

Key strengths:

Strength | Balance | Coordination

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

Iris Powell

Course:

Natural Sciences

College:

Churchill

Height:

175cm

Started Rowing:

2020

Iris is now in the third year of her one year break from playing hockey having only dabbled in rowing for the “Cambridge experience”, but now she’s hooked.

“Your body is capable of more than you think it is.”

Key strengths:

Speed | Power | Strength

CAMBRIDGE

🇬🇧

William Wauchope

Course:

Philosophy

College:

Gonville and Caius

Height:

200cm

Started Rowing:

2022

A relative newcomer to the sport William was picked out of a line-up to row for his college.

“When it get's tough, winning The Boat Race is the goal that keeps the squad moving.”

Key strengths:

Power | Strength | Coordination

Oxford University Boat Club

Key strengths:

Power | Endurance | Technical Ability

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Lucy Edmunds

Course:

Masters in History

College:

Pembroke

Height:

189cm

Height:

183cm

Started Rowing:

2013

Lucy’s great grandmother, Lucy Bristowe, was in the 5 seat of the Oxford Blue Boat in 1934 and Oxford won the race, can Lucy repeat this feat 90 years on?

“ I want to win for the women around me, as they inspire me everyday.”

Key strengths:

Power | Agility | Strength

🇩🇪

OXFORD

Lilli Freischem

Course:

Atmospheric Physics

College:

Reuben

Height:

189cm

Height:

180cm

Started Rowing:

2020

From winning Novice 4x and 8+ at BUCS 2021 Lilli rowed in Osiris in 2023 and will be pushing to go one better in 2024. Lilli looks up to NZ legend Emma Twigg and will always have her splash jacket packed.

“Do your physio exercises!”

Key strengths:

Speed | Power | Tactical Awareness

🇺🇸

OXFORD

Jackson Hardin

Course:

Engineering Science

College:

Oriel

Height:

189cm

Height:

193cm

Started Rowing:

2017

Jackson came to Oxford to research offshore wind energy and particularly offshore floating wind energy and is deeply committed to fighting climate change.

“This really is the dream, I haven't thought of any other races since coming to Oxford.”

Key strengths:

Power | Tactical Awareness | Strength

🇩🇪

OXFORD

Elias Kun

Course:

Financial Economics

College:

Green Templeton

Height:

189cm

Height:

195cm

Started Rowing:

2012

With a lack of success on the basketball court Elias found inspiration watching the 2012 German 8+ and began the sporting journey that led him to Oxford.

“we secretly enjoy the suffering of rowing on the ergo”

Key strengths:

Power | Endurance | Tactical Awareness

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Annie Sharp

Water Science, Policy & Mgmt

Course:

College:

St Anthony’s

Height:

189cm

Height:

194cm

Started Rowing:

2017

Self described as “Town & Gown” Oxford, Annie’s primary goal for 2024 is to race past the bandstand and outlast her father who was disqualified there in 1990 in the Isis crew.

"You've trained hard, you race hard- just enjoy it."

Key strengths:

Strength | Precision | Technical Ability

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Saxon Stacey

Course:

English Language & Lit.

College:

St John’s

Height:

189cm

Height:

186cm

Started Rowing:

2018

A junior world champion in 2022 Saxon will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his sporting idol Constantine Louloudis in 2024. A fan of metal detecting, Saxon says winning the Boat Race would be:

“The greatest reward for the hardest work”

Key strengths:

Speed | Endurance | Tactical Awareness

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Harry Glenister

Course:

MBA

College:

Keble

Height:

189cm

Height:

195cm

Started Rowing:

2009

With GB vests at virtually every level of competition and four wins at Henley Royal Regatta, Harry’s done stuff.

And now he’s here to do the Boat Race.

“After missing out on the Olympics due to injury, I am determined to finish my career on a high.”

Key strengths:

Speed | Endurance | Agility

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Sarah Marshall

Course:

History & Economics

College:

Jesus

Height:

189cm

Height:

177cm

Started Rowing:

2019

Describing herself as analytical, consistent and friendly, Sarah learned to row at Rob Roy BC and is a returner from the 2023 Blue Boat.

Key strengths:

Power | Strength | Precision

🇺🇸

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Tessa Haining

Course:

Modern Languages

College:

Balliol

Height:

189cm

Height:

175cm

Started Rowing:

2018

Tessa brings a touch of class to the erg room with her classical music selections and wants her time at Oxford to contribute to the legacy of women's rowing on both the national and international stage.

“Pull hard and have fun. (yeah Rad!)”

🇬🇧

OXFORD

Freddy Orpin

Course:

Geography

College:

St Catherine's

Height:

189cm

Height:

205cm

Started Rowing:

2014

If they make a movie of the 2024 Gemini Boat Race, Freddy wants to be played by Sacha Baron Cohen. He doesn’t have words for what it would mean to win The Boat Race, he just typed in three letters.

“More is more.”

Key strengths:

Power | Tactical Awareness | Strength

THE COACHES