Bucknell men’s crew head coach Dan Wolleben has announced the program’s latest recruiting class who will join the successful Bison team in the fall, bolstering an already strong roster. The 16-person group comes to Bucknell from seven different states.
“We are excited to announce the Class of 2019,” commented Wolleben, entering his second year as head coach, and ninth year at Bucknell. “This class is full of experience, strength, and speed. We are confident that as a class, they will help us raise the bar with Bucknell Crew on and off the water. We had a similar class last year and it had a real positive impact on our entire squad with members of that class assuming key positions in top shells from the beginning of the fall. The current class appears to be at least as talented if not a bit better, and a little bigger. We are looking forward to having them all on campus this fall, as we welcome them in to the Bucknell University community.”
Bucknell Men’s Crew – Class of 2019
Grant Accurso – Manhasset, NY/Chaminade High School
Jacopo Baldi – Fairfield, CT/Greens Farms Academy
Robert Bellantoni – Hartsdale, NY/Iona Preparatory High School
Dabreon Darby – Buffalo, NY/Canisius High School
Owen Kennelly – New Canaan, CT/New Canaan High School
Fran Kinniry – Chester Springs, PA/Episcopal High School
John Leasure – Darien, CT/Bershire School
Thomas Marth – Bronx, NY/Fordham Preparatory High School
John Morcos – Key Biscayne, FL/Ransom Everglades
Alex Owen – Larchmont, NY/Mamaroneck High School
Nick Paray – Ho Ho Kus, NJ/Northern Highland Regional High School
Duncan Ragland – Grosse Pointe, MI/Grosse Pointe North High School
Spencer Reed – Los Angeles, CA/Loyola High School
David Ruf – Greenwich, CT/Brunswick School
Mike Savage – Jenkintown, PA/La Salle College High School
Quinn Smith – Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown High School
Class of 2019 Bio Information
Grant Accurso
Grant is the son of Joe and Marybeth Accurso, and has four younger siblings. He graduated from Chaminade High School, and lives in Manhassett, NY. A four-year rower for Chaminade High School, Grant won the 2015 New York State Championship in the 2nd Varsity Eight, while also placing 4th in the Varsity Pair. He also won a bronze medal in the U-23 Lightweight Eight at the 2014 Club National Championships. Grant will be majoring in Management.
Jacopo Baldi
Jacopo is the son of Alesaandro Baldi and Francesca Perucci. He graduated from Greens Farm Academy, and lives in Fairfield, CT. Jacopo comes to Bucknell Crew from the Saugatuck Rowing Club. Jacopo will be majoring in Management.
Robert Bellantoni
Robert is the son of Stephen and Judeen Bellantoni. He recently graduated from Iona Preparatory High school, and lives in Hartsdale, NY. Robert coxed for both Iona Prep and Pelham Community Rowing Association. As a freshmen his Varsity Four placed 3rd at the New York State Championships. He was later awarded the Iron Chris Coxswain Award for leadership and ability. He has also competed as a sculler. Robert will be majoring in Engineering.
Dabreon Darby
Dabreon is the son of Michael and Dianna Darby. He is from Buffalo, NY, having graduated and rowing for Canisius High School. In 2011 he finished 2nd in the Freshman Eight and 2nd in the 2nd Varsity Eight at New York State Championships, later finishing 8th overall at Youth Nationals. In 2012 he finished 3rd at both the Canadian Scholastic Schoolboy Rowing Championships and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. In 2015 Dabreon placed 3rd in the Varsity Pair at the New York State Championships. In addition to rowing he enjoys playing basketball and football. He credits his high school coach, Steven Becht, with being the most influential person in his sporting career. Dabreon will be majoring in Environmental Studies.
Owen Kennelly
Owen is the son of John and Liz Kennelly. Owen recently graduated from New Canaan High School, and lives in New Canaan, CT. He began rowing for Maritime Rowing Club in Norwalk, CT in sixth grade, and continued rowing there in the summer while also competing for New Canaan High School during the year. Owen has three sisters, two are younger and one is his twin, who will be attending Dartmouth College. Owen will be majoring in Engineering.
Fran Kinniry
Fran is the son of Francis and Kim Kinniry. Fran recently graduated from Episcopal High School, and lives in Chester Springs, PA. In 2015 he won the Stotesbury Cup and Philly City Championships in the Varsity Four for Episcopal, and later placed 2nd at the SRAA and NSRA National Championships. Fran will be majoring in Management.
John Leasure
John is the son of Dirk and Patty Leasure, with one sibling and a great family dog. He recently graduated from the Berkshire School and lives in Darien, CT. John began his rowing career at Berkshire as a sophomore, and has competed for Berkshire ever since, in addition to rowing for the Maritime Rowing Club in the summers. He placed 8th overall in the Varsity 4+ at the 2015 NEIRA Championships. Outside of school he enjoys backpacking, playing basketball and Ultimate Frisbee, and going out on his boat. John will be majoring in Civil Engineering.
Thomas Marth
Thomas is the son of Jack Marth and Miriam Ford. Thomas recently graduated from Fordham Preparatory High School, and lives in the Bronx, NY. Thomas rowed for Fordham Prep, and is the former pair partner of current Bucknell Crew member Dillon LaFata. Thomas will be majoring in Classics.
John Morcos
John is the son of Jacques and Fiona Morcos. John recently graduated from Ransom Everglades School, and lives in Key Biscayne. FL. He comes to Bucknell Crew from the Miami Rowing Club. He has two sisters who also row. His older sister Isa attends Bucknell University as well. John started rowing in the 8th grade at the Miami Rowing Club. As a sophomore his Junior Eight won the Florida State Championship. As a Junior he competed at Youth Nationals in the Senior Quad, after winning the Southeast Regional Championship. As a senior John was named captain, finished 11th overall in the Varsity Four at Youth Nationals after placing 2nd at the Southeast Regionals Championship, and won his teams Outstanding Varsity Oarsman. He is a fan of Arsenal FC, and enjoys skiing and boating in his off time. John will be majoring in Global Management.
Alex Owen
Alex is the son of Gary and Tracy Owen. Alex recently graduated from Mamaroneck High School, and lives in Larchmont, NY. He comes to Bucknell Crew having rowed for Pelham Community Rowing Association. He started rowing in the fall of sophomore year, but also played soccer, baseball, and basketball. He has two brothers, who also row at Pelham. Alex will be majoring in Management.
Nick Paray
Nick is the son of Paul and Laura Paray. Nick recently graduated from Northern Highland Regional High School, and lives in Ho Ho Kus, NJ. He comes to Bucknell Crew having rowed for Nereid Boat Club in Rutherford, NJ. Nick was the Founder and President of the Political Action Club in high school, organizing meetings to inform the student body of local and national political news, and to create an atmosphere for political discourse. Nick will be majoring in English.
Duncan Ragland
Duncan is the son of Michael and Tracy Ragland. He recently graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School, and lives in Grosse Pointe, MI. Duncan comes to Bucknell Crew from the Detroit Boat Club. He started rowing in the spring of his sophomore year of high school. He rowed lightweight for two years and then heavyweight as a senior. At the 2015 Midwest Junior Rowing Championships he placed 3rd in the Varsity Four and 4th in the Varsity Pair. He placed 8th overall in the Varsity Four at the 2015 Youth National Rowing Championship. Duncan will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Spencer Reed
Spencer is the son of David and Susan Reed. He recently graduated from Loyola High School, and lives in Los Angeles, CA. Spencer joins Bucknell Crew having rowed for Marina Aquatic Center. Besides rowing, he was a member of the student council and an editor for the school newspaper. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, such as surfing and biking. Spencer will be majoring in Environmental Engineering.
David Ruf
David is the son of David and Alice Ruf, and his father rowed for Bucknell in the early years of the program. David recently graduated from the Brunswick School, and lives in Greenwich, CT. He stroked the Varsity Four at the 2014 Royal Henley Regatta, qualifying for the Prince Albert Challenge Cup in addition to placing 2nd at the Reading Regatta. He stroked the 2nd Varsity Eight and Varsity Four through the 2014-2015 season, culminating in a 2nd place finish at the 2015 NSRA National Championship. David will be majoring in Accounting and Financial Management.
Mike Savage
Mike is the son of Mike and Laura Savage. He recently graduated from La Salle College High School, and lives in Jenkintown, PA. He is a two time Philadelphia City Champion, two time Philadelphia Catholic League Champion, placed 2nd at the Stotesbury Regatta in 2013 as well as 1st at SRAA Nationals Regatta 2013. Mike is currently undeclared on major.
Quinn Smith
Quinn is the son of Don and Tesa Smith. He recently graduated from Moorestown High School, and lives in Moorestown, NJ. In 2015 his Moorestown High School lightweight eight placed 5th overall at the 2015 Philadelphia City Championships. Quinn was a multi-sport athlete at Moorestown, also being a member of the soccer and swim teams. Quinn will be majoring in Computer Science.
Keep an eye on the Bucknell Crew Instagram account (bucknellcrew), as we continue to introduce the new members of our program over the course of the summer!