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Jennifer Cleary
Olympic rower, 'Jen' Cleary represented Australia in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Jennifer commenced at the Geelong College Preparatory School on 3 February 1998 in Year 7, continuing to Year 12 in 2011. A member of Keith House, she was a conspicuous student and an avid sports performer at College. School Co-Vice-Captain, House Prefect, awardee of the The Macfarlane Burnet Prize, The T W Davies Prize, and The Hobday Prize in 2011 she excelled across disciplines. In 2011, she was the 1st Basketball Captain and winner of the Fairest and Best award that year.
She had emerged as an athlete when she participated as a member of the 1st Athletics Team in 2006. Two years later in 2008, 'Jen' started rowing in the Year 9 IV. The following year she rowed in the Year 10 1st Rowing IV which became one of the most successfull College Year 10 crews. '
At the conclusion of the season the crew were recognised as being the current Junior State Champions and APS Head of the River champions for the Year 10 1st IV Divisions.' 'Jen', and her companion rowers from College and Corowa, cemented their ability later that year at the National Rowing Championships, by claiming the gold medal in the Women's Under 17 coxed squad scull.
In 2010, 'Jen' rowed in the Geelong College 1st Girls VIII which emerged 2nd in both the Head of the Schoolgirls', and the APS Head of the River regattas that year. The next year, 2011, 'Jen' joined a very strong crew to become victorious in the Head of the River, outpacing traditional competitors, Geelong Grammar School.
Post-College rowing achievements include:
2013 U23 Women's 8+ 4th
2013 World Championships 4x 8th
2015 World Cup 3 4x 2nd
2014 World championship 4x 4th
2014 World Cup 1 4x 1st
2015 World Championship 4x 5th
2016 World Cup 3 4x 2nd
2016 Rio Olympic Games 7th
2017 Henley Royal Regatta 1x Quarter finalist
Represented Victoria in the women's 8 and won 3 times (2013, 2014, 2017),
Represented Victoria in the women's single - 3rd in 2015.
Her brother, Tim (OGC 2009), was also educated at Geelong College.
In recognition of her achievement, Jennifer Cleary was inducted into the Old Geelong Collegians' Association (OGCA) Notables Gallery at Geelong College on 27 October 2018.
Sources: Pegasus 2009 pp122-123; Pegasus 2010 p126; Pegasus 2011 pp139-140; J Cleary. OGC 2011.