For most high schoolers, waking up before dawn to train at 5 a.m. sounds like punishment. For Mark Zhu ’26, it’s just a normal Tuesday.
Zhu is a four-year Senior from Suzhou, China and co-captain of Boys Varsity Rowing. He will row next year for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Zhu also plays alto saxophone with the Right Brain Logic jazz band. He is on the board of St. Luke’s and a proctor in Dana Dorm.
Head Coach Phil Hodosy said, “I’ve never seen a high schooler with Mark’s level of commitment and self-discipline. His energy draws people in. He leads without saying much; you just watch him, and you want to be better. He truly doesn’t know the words ‘give up’.”
Teammate Emerson Murdoch ’27 said, “Mark is the biggest influence of my life. Everyone knows he works the hardest. That pushes all of us to be stronger, faster, and more ambitious.”
How did you get into rowing?
I’ve always loved water sports: surfing, scuba diving, anything that kept me close to the water. About six years ago, I stumbled across a rowing club near a canal close to home and fell immediately in love with the sport. I stayed with it until I cam to Hotchkiss, where rowing became something far bigger than a hobby.
What do you like about rowing?
Rowing is a sport where the output is proportional to the input. There’s so much pain, but the results are very clear. And when you’re training with friends and coaches, the pain feels magically lighter. It actually makes me excited for practice every day.
What kind of leader do you try to be as a captain?
I try to lead by example. I promise myself to show up for practice earlier than anyone else, give everything I have, stay consistent, and smile.
Even when things are hard, I think it’s important to push through and stay positive. After really tough practices like 2Ks, I try to smile (not because it’s easy, but because I want my teammates to feel like we can get through it together).
What does rowing mean to you?
Rowing has taught me discipline and the value of pushing through boundaries. It has made me reflect on my daily routine, health regulations, relationship with others, and most importantly, self- confidence. I feel like I can face any type of challenge now and not back down.
The team means everything. The guys on the boat feel like real siblings. We go through everything together, and that creates a really strong bond.
Why did you choose MIT for college, and what are you most excited about?
MIT felt like the right balance for me. Besides rowing, I am passionate about Chemistry and Music.
I’m not too sure I am capable of balancing everything I want to do (I have so much I want to do), but I’m excited to think about a new chapter of my life there and the family I will make on the team.
What are your goals for the rest of this season?
This team has a lot of depth and experience, and we have a real shot at doing something special at NEIRAs this year. I’d love for us to finish in the top three, but more than that, I want us to keep pushing each other and make the most of the remaining time we have together.
