Rowing

I retired from rowing in 2009 (after a hiatus in 2008). This page remains for archive purposes.

Luke Freeman won Gold in the Men’s Eights at the Youth Olympics and at the recent 2007 National Champions won silver for the U/23 Lightweight Men’s Pair, along with two bronze medals in the lightweight eights and fours. At the 2007 Nationals he was also a part of the NSW senior (open) team for which he placed fourth.

Every year since his late beginnings to the sport in 2004 Luke has held State championship titles and maintained his position across four state teams (in which he has usually been the youngest).

In Year 11, 2005, Luke left Davidson High School to pursue his dreams in rowing, through correspondence he started a Bachelor of Arts at Curtin University allowing him to travel as the sport required. Although unconventional, this opened up many doors for him. In the past eighteen months Luke has won six Interstate medals for NSW, as well as placing second in the Australian University Games.

July 2006 was a turning point in Luke’s rowing career. He had the opportunity to represent his club at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in the UK in which his crew placed second. This started the ball rolling for a partnership with the crews stroke Luke Woods. The two Luke’s went on to place together at the Youth Olympics, Karipiro (NZ), State and National Championships.

Although still a Junior (U19) because of this partnership Luke decided to go lightweight (<70kg) and change from sculling (two oars) to sweep (one oar) to compete in the Under 23 category. In his first two months in the new configuration he had success at Nationals, become the youngest on the Interstate team and received an invite to the National Selection where he will compete with his partner for a seat in the Australian U23 Team.

Selected Results up to 2008

Australian National Championships 2008:

• Bronze (Under 23 Lightweight Mens Pair)

Australian National Championships 2007:

• Silver (Under 23 Lightweight Mens Pair)
• Bronze (Under 23 Lightweight Mens Four)
• Bronze (Open Lightweight Mens Eight)
• Also: (4th LMB2x, 4th LM4-)

State Championships 2007:

• Gold (Men’s Elite Lightweight Coxless Four)
• Silver (Men’s Elite Lightweight Pair)
• Silver (Men’s Youth Pair)
• Also: (4th: ME 8+)

Youth Olympics 2007:

• Gold (Men’s Eight)
• Silver (Men’s Quad Scull)

Henley Royal Regatta (2006):

• Second Place (JM4x)

Representative Teams:

• Australian Youth Olympic Team – 2007
• NSW Open Interstate Team – 2007
• NSW Youth Cup State Team – 2006
• NSW Youth Cup State Team – 2005
• Macquarie University Varsity and Henley Teams – 2007-8
• SRC Henley Team
• NSWIS Blues Squad – 2005-2007