Colin McCaghey '25 Recruiting Profile

My goals are to obtain a top-notch education, excel at rowing, build life-long friendships, and become a valued part of the local community. My desire is to prepare myself for a fulfilling career in teaching, history, or music and achieve my full potential in rowing. I believe that a school with a relatively low student to teacher ratio which graduates a high percentage of its student athletes gives me the best opportunity of achieving those life/career goals. An early diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as a severe concussion in January of my sophomore year, were major challenges that forced me to work far harder than others and instilled a deep appreciation for the gifts I was given.

Life's adversities, similar to defeats, became teaching moments and helped me recognize that my academic and athletic potential demands the utmost dedication that many take for granted. Indeed, the tremendous support I was afforded to learn with dyslexia became a guiding post for me wanting to pursue a career in education and history.

I have rowed for two and half non-consecutive years-spring freshman year, fall sophomore, and fall/spring junior year (a severe concussion in January of sophomore year forced me to sit out spring rowing season and have a restricted academic schedule). After the doctors cleared me from concussion protocol in early summer 2022, I was able to earn back my spot on the SPP 1V8 boat where we enjoyed a successful fall season highlighted by a 27^th finish at the 2022 Head of the Charles. In the Spring 2023 season, the SPP 1V 8 won the NJ State Scholastic Championship. The 2023 summer allowed me to make the U19 8s semis at the Summer Nationals with Penn AC and also place 5th in the U23 8s.  Lastly, I was able to join the Monmouth Juniors at the 2023 Canadian Henley where we placed 5th in the U19 8s finals.  

I am 17years old and am just learning the finer techniques of rowing. I remain fully committed to continuing my current trajectory with a strong Fall and winter 2023 training season and an even better spring 2024 season. As a result, I firmly believe that my full potential offers a very high ceiling for achievement.

I would not be anywhere near the man, rower, and student that I now am if it were not for the tremendous support of my parents, Crew teammates/ coaches, and Saint Peter's Prep teachers. Their willingness to go the extra mile saw me through some very tough times and helped me realize none of us achieve much alone. It has been said that "adversity builds character" but I believe that adversity exposes character. My desire is to bring my passion, work ethic, and commitment to build up my teammates to a competitive collegiate rowing team at a strong academic school.