San Miguel Academy of Newburgh welcomed Olympic Gold Medalist Nick Mead to the School on Jan 15. Mead won gold at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the coxless men’s four, which was the first Olympic gold for the men’s four since 1960. Mead and his teammates have been rowing together since the Tokyo Olympics, where they finished fourth just behind New Zealand. Mead and his team trained for both Olympics under legendary coach Mike Teti, who is also a good friend of San Miguel Academy Rowing. Mead and swimmer Katie Ledecky were selected by their TeamUSA teammates to carry the flag at closing ceremonies
Mead spoke to the students about his journey as a rower and the importance of pursuing one’s passion, no matter the voices and forces that make it difficult. Along with the joy that rowing brings, Mead was clear about the challenges: sacrificing time with family and friends, the time commitment and finding the inner resources to keep going: “It’s easy to do the hard thing when you’re motivated, but motivation is temporary. Discipline is long-lasting. Discipline and consistency will give you an edge over everyone else in the sport,” he said.
San Miguel Academy and its hard-working student-athletes are grateful for Mead’s encouragement and appreciate the opportunity to learn from him.
San Miguel Academy Rowing is one of the largest middle- school programs in the country, with 100% student participation. Its mission is to increase educational opportunities for its student-athletes. The program has proven to be significantly beneficial in helping students secure top-level educational opportunities in high school and college. San Miguel Academy rowers have qualified for and completed in the US Rowing Youth National Championships, finishing in the top 10 several times.
San Miguel Academy serves low-opportunity families in Newburgh, New York, who would typically only be able to access the sport of rowing with the assistance of San Miguel Academy and its sponsors. San Miguel Academy Rowing is currently sponsored by the New York Giants Foundation, A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, the Head of the Charles/ Philadelphia Gold Cup Foundation, and US Rowing.
