MPhil student Noah races in the Lightweight Boat Race for Oxford

Meet Noah: our very own Kellogg College rower 

Noah Pingul is from the United States and is studying an MPhil in Global and Area Studies at Kellogg College. Back in March, he raced the Championship Course against Cambridge in the Lightweight Men’s Boat Race for Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC).

Noah recently placed third in the Championship Lightweight Four at the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Regatta in Nottingham. He will row in Kellogg and Christ Church Colleges Men’s First Boat in Summer Eights bumps race this week.

We spoke to Noah and asked him how he first got into rowing:

I got into rowing when my mom signed me up for a summer learn-to-row camp at the Pocock Rowing Center in 2013 when I was 13. After that, my mom kept signing me up for rowing until I eventually fell in love with the sport.

Before attending Oxford, I was a student at Saint Joseph’s University where I received a BA in History, BA in film, and a minor in Justice Ethics and the Law, while rowing for Vesper Boat Club.

How was your experience of trialling with OUBC?

Trialling was a unique experience for me as I ended up showing up almost a month into the season; however, the team was very friendly and welcoming to me and I felt at home very quickly. The season was very long and demanding, but it was rewarding as I was able to win my Trial Eights race and then I was selected for the Lightweight Crew.

Although the pomp and circumstance of the Lightweight Boat Race pale in comparison to the Blue Boat and Reserve Boat Races, it truly was a special experience to take part in. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our goal against a particularly seasoned and fast Cambridge crew.

How did you find juggling your studies alongside trialling? 

It was very hard to juggle academics and trialling at times, especially around tests and travel, but with the support of classmates and teammates, I was able to manage the demands of both athletics and academics adequately.

Kellogg’s support was critical in allowing me to train with the quality coaches of the Oxford University Boat Club and the Kellogg/Christ Church Boat Club, and this generous funding has allowed me to represent Oxford and Kellogg in the Lightweight Boat Race and the British University Championships.

And your plans for the future?

For my future academic plans, I intend to continue my MPhil degree in Global and Area Studies. As for my rowing future, I intend to row for Oxford again this coming year and I expect to defeat Cambridge in a race over the Championship Course.

Catch Noah on the Isis River this week where he will be racing in Oxford’s Summer Eights!

Photo Credits:

Headshot: Benedict Tuffnell

The Lightweight Boat Race Photo: Harrison Kieffer

Medal Dock at BUCS: Flynn Duggan 

Double at BUCS: All Mark One