Annual achievement in college sailing

The year-end awards from the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association 2022-23 College season celebrates sportsmanship, leadership, service, and overall team achievement:

Robert H Hobbs Sportsman of the Year
Leo Boucher, St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2023

Jim Rousmaniere Award for Outstanding Student Leadership
Michelle Lahrkamp, Stanford University 2023

Meritorious Service
Samuel Blaine Pedlow

Leonard Fowle Trophy for the Best Overall Team
Stanford University

Robert H. Hobbs Sportsman of the Year: Leo Boucher, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 2023
Finalist: Walter Henry, Connecticut College 2023

“Very excited to be awarded the sportsman of the year for college sailing,” said Boucher. “Being able to have such great competitors that I can call friends is something worth cherishing.”

ICSA Hall of Fame Inductees:*

James Rousmaniere Award for Outstanding Student Leadership: Michelle Larhkamp ‘23 of Stanford University
“I’m honored to receive the 2023 James Rousmaniere Award for student leadership,” shared Lahrkamp. “It’s been a challenging, exciting, and rewarding experience being on the Stanford Sailing team, PCCSC board, and ICSA TIDE task force. On our sailing team, one of our core values is resilience. Over the last few years, we have learned to overcome unprecedented situations and positively grow as a team in those challenging moments.

“Chris Klevan and Brian Swingly led Stanford Sailing to success by building a team, and I owe it to them for allowing me to learn to lead as a freshman. Within the PCCSC and ICSA, I’ve had the privilege to learn from role models such as Cori Radtke, Preston Anderson, Mackenzie Berwick, and many individual leaders within the PCCSC and ICSA such as Alison Keenan, Emi Ruth, Izzy Cox, Lily Allen, and Noah Barton.

“Working alongside them has given me perspective on community impact, conference development, and opportunities for positive change in sailing. College Sailing stretches beyond competition and there is a village working toward positive change within the sport of sailing and being a part of it has allowed me to grow and learn as a leader.

“I hope to inspire others to see the opportunities to learn from other conferences and teams and work together to make our sport inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and sustainable.”

Meritorious Service: Samuel Blaine Pedlow
“I am humbled and honored to be inducted into the ICSA Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Meritorious Service award,” noted Pedlow. “College Sailing has made a lasting impact in my life since my undergraduate years at Berkeley nearly 25 years ago, and I am so appreciative of the friends, colleagues, and experiences that the ICSA has provided.

“College Sailing provides an unmatched opportunity for young people to participate in our sport, and I am so pleased to have played even the smallest role in helping to promote these opportunities for the next generation of sailors. The list of volunteers honored by this award is impressive and I am inspired by their contributions.

“I look forward to continuing to be of service to the ICSA and the sport of sailing in the years to come. Thank you for this honor.”

Leonard Fowle Trophy for the Best Overall Team: Stanford University
“I’ve always thought the Fowle Trophy was an apt barometer measuring the team in college sailing with the most quality – the most diversity of talent,” noted Chris Klevan, Head Coach of Stanford University. “If that definition applies to this team, I feel it’s quite remarkable as we are such a small team.

“To win three nationals and to finish runner up in three others, sailing five different drivers and five different crews at those championships on a team of 15 total sailors, shows our depth in ability.

“But to do this, especially this spring season, sailing a small group of young people, sailing from 9am to 8pm some nights, for eleven straight days, while taking classes and missing school shows something different and absolutely astounding.

“It shows the strength of character our team possesses, cultivates, and emboldens. I could not be more proud of the way this team competed all year, the strides they made as sailors and people and the bonds they built together.”

For Fowle results, click here.

* The Hall of Fame Committee was made up of: Gail Turluck, Chair (MCSA), Adam Werblow (MAISA), Ken Legler (NEISA), Phil Gordon (NWICSA), Brian Stanford (PCCSC), Dave Herbster (SAISA), Karl Kleinschrodt (SEISA).

Source: ICSA