NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Rising senior Raph Clark (South Hamilton, Mass.) will serve as captain and rising senior Max Blacksten (McLean, Va.) will serve as commodore for Yale lightweight crew in 2026-27. 
 
Clark rowed in Yale's 1V at Sprints and IRAs this past season. He was in the 2V prior to that, and his 2025 spring season was split between the 1V (three races) and 2V (four races). He was part of the 2V's bronze medal finish at Sprints that year. Clark rowed in the 3V for the majority of his first year (2024), earning a spot in the 2V for Sprints.
 
Clark is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. He has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Humphrey Lab and the Yale School of Medicine's 3D Tumor Lab. He is a member of Yale's Ultramarathon Club.
 
Clark is a graduate of St. Paul's School. 
 
Andy Card, Yale's 150 Alumni Head Coach of Lightweight Crew, praised Clark's intensity.
 
"It's no surprise to me that Raph has been selected as captain by his teammates," said Card. "He is an intense competitor and motivated athlete who has shown resilience and dedication to the team for the last three years. He's been on both sides of some thrilling racing, and that experience will help him lead the team in the coming campaign." 
 
Blacksten rowed in the 1V for five races and the 2V for two races this spring. His 2025 season was also split between the 1V (two races) and 2V (five races). He spent his first year (2024) in the 2V.
 
Blacksten is pursuing a degree in economics. He is a board member of the Yale Student Investment Group and is the founder and president of the Yale Undergraduate Bonsai Club. 
 
Blacksten is a graduate of McLean High School. 
 
"Our Commodore doesn't have to have the fastest erg on the team, but it sure doesn't hurt if he does! Max has a genial way about him that belies his inner fire," said Card. "I am eager to see how Max, Raph and the rest of the senior class lead the team in 2027." 
 
Blacksten and Clark are part of a senior class that also includes Brandon Fernandez (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.), Ago Ghiso (Chicago, Ill.) and Cormac Kimberly (Jacksonville, Fla.).
 
Clark looks forward to the upcoming season.
 
"I think we have an incredibly strong core of returners with great fitness and rowing talent," said Clark. "There's a fire to go one step better and further every day."