Florida Tech Recognizes Rowing Senior Class Student-Athletes for Contributions to Panther Athletics

By  //  April 30, 2020

SPRING SPORTS ARE CANCELLED

During the month of April, Florida Tech will recognize it’s senior student-athletes for their contributions to their teams and Panther Athletics. (Florida Tech Image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – During the month of April, Florida Tech will recognize it’s senior student-athletes for their contributions to their teams and Panther Athletics.

2020 MEN’S ROWING SENIORS

Mohamed Ben Sidhom | Tunis, Tunisia

Mohamed is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team. As a freshman, Mohamed was on the V4 boat that cruised to a 7-second victory over five Division I opponents to win the Novice 4+ at the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Championships (SIRA).

The following year, he helped the 2V8 defend its SIRA Championship before then rowing on the V8 boat during the IRA National Championships where the Panthers finished 16th overall in the nation.

As a junior in 2018-19, Mohamed helped guide the men’s 2V8 to another strong performance at the IRA National Championship with the Panthers taking 4th place in the fourth level final.

Mohamed was named to the Dean’s List and Florida Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll over his career and will graduate from Florida Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Basilio Caruso | Palermo, Italy

Basilio is a two-year member of the men’s rowing team, taking his spot on the port side on the Varsity 4 boat during both seasons at Florida Tech. In 2018-19, Basilio helped his Championship 4+ boat earn one of the top spots at the Head of the South Regatta.

One boat with all graduating seniors lineup racing against the other boat with the rest of the team. “The sound barrier was broken that day.” Basilio will graduate from Florida Tech with a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

He plans to earn a Master’s in Flight Test Engineering following graduation.

Billy Dietrich | Jacksonville, Fla.

Billy is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team. He rowed on the Second Varsity 8 boat his first three seasons at Florida Tech and on the Varsity 8 as a senior this year.

During his freshman season, Billy rowed on the 2V8 boat that won the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship at Melton Lake.

As a sophomore, he helped the 2V8 defend its SIRA Championship before propelling the boat to the fourth level final at the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) National Championships. Billy then guided the 2V to a 3rd place finish at the 2019 SIRA Championship.

Following the 2018-19 season, Billy was named to the IRA All-Academic Team.

He is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Honor Society. Additionally, he participated in the NCAA’s “It’s On Us” campaign against sexual assault.

Billy is set to graduate with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He will be working as a flight test engineer while earning a Master’s in Flight Test Engineering from Florida Tech. His career goal is to become a naval test pilot.

Christian Dossett | Holder, Florida

Christian is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team and served as captain.

He rowed on the Second Varsity 8 boat his first three seasons at Florida Tech and then on the Varsity 8 as a senior this year.

During his freshman season, Christian the team rake in wins at both the Head of the Charles and the Head of the Hooch Regattas as well as a 2V8 victory at the 2017 SIRA Championships.

After graduation, he would like to stay in the rowing world as a coach and help more young men through the turbulent time of these transitional years of life.

He would also like to continue writing in an effort to catalyze deep thinking and a mindful perspective of our place in the world.

Marcus Farley | Tallahassee, Fla.

Marcus is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team. He rowed on the Second Varsity 8 his first two seasons at Florida Tech and then on the Varsity 8 as a junior and senior.

He served as team captain of the rowing team this past year in 2019-20. During his first season, Marcus helped the Freshman 8 boat win gold at the Head of the Hooch before assisting one of the V8’s to a fifth place finish.

His favorite memory is going undefeated against Holy Cross, Georgetown and George Washington at the GW Invitational in 2019. Marcus has been named to the Florida Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll during his career.

He will graduate with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Sustainability. Marcus plans to pursue a Master’s of Accountancy at Temple University.

Dziugas Nienius | Vilnius, Lithuania

Dziugas is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team. He sat in the stroke seat on the Varsity 8 boat every year of his career.

His favorite memories are the team trips to Washington, D.C. and Oregon. In addition to his success on the water, Dziugas also had an impressive career as a student at Florida Tech.

He is a member of the Delta Mu Delta, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. Last season, Dziugas was named to the 2018-19 IRA All-Academic team.

He will graduate with a degree in Global Management & Finance and plans to continue pursuing an MBA at Florida Tech.

Jaiden Oropallo | Tallahassee, Fla.

Jaiden is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team, coxing the Second Varsity 8 his freshman year and the V8 the next three years at Florida Tech.

As a freshman, Jaiden rowed on the 2V8 boat that won the 2017 South Region Championship.

Jaiden’s favorite memory from his career is beating Columbia in the V8 as a sophomore. “It’s a tradition to scrimmage them every year over spring break, and definitely our strongest rivalry.

Going into the race everyone was incredibly motivated and laser-focused. We knew from the moment we set foot in the boat that day that we had the drive to win, marking the second time in the last decade that we have beaten them.”

Jaiden will graduate with a degree in biomedical engineering. He is set to pursue his PhD in Bioengineering at Colorado State.

Zilvinas Visockas | Siauliu Rajonas, Lithuania

Zilvinas is a four-year member of the men’s rowing team and rowed starboard on the Varsity 8 boat every year of his career.

During that time, Zilvinas was a key cog in the V8 winning three straight Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships from 2017-2019.

His favorite memory was the team trip to Oregon before the IRAs. Additionally, one of his favorite moments came during his freshman year at the Head of the Hooch.

He raced in the V4 and it was his toughest race early in his career, and he was stroking the boat.

A member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Zilvinas will graduate with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He plans to be a part-time graduate student at Florida Tech and a full-time employee.

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Florida Tech Recognizes Senior Class Student-Athletes for Contributions to Panther Athletics

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