OHIO CITY, Oh - Saint Ignatius Crew has a Division I commit as Patrick Miklus will be continuing his academic and athletic career at St. Joseph's University. The future Hawk has taken his passion for rowing and turned it into a college scholarship. Miklus was a long-time baseball athlete but chose to join the rowing program at Saint Ignatius High School as he headed into his freshman year with the Wildcats.

"When I visited Open House the year before my freshman year, I learned about the Crew program," explains Miklus. "I played baseball my whole life but didn't make the team my freshman year, so I wanted to try something new and I became good enough to pursue rowing in college."

The commitment came in October of Miklus' senior year as he mulled over which college to attend next year. "October it came down to a handful of colleges and I took my official visit to St. Joseph's at the end of the month," says Miklus. "I knew then what school I wanted to go to."

"Pat shows nothing but drive and a commitment to the team," says Head Crew Coach Connor Walters '09. "He is a leader for our team; he always shows up and is a phenomenal rower; it's hard to find a guy like Patrick."

Miklus was named captain at the beginning of the school year as the Crew Cats were in their Fall season. "Coming into August, we were focusing on who would be the captains for the upcoming seasons and I wanted to be one of those," Miklus says. "I wanted to be a vocal leader and someone that the team looks up to as a senior leader."

The commitment for Miklus proves to be just the beginning of the rise of the Crew Cats. There is a unique bond built on and off the water for the rowing team and the camaraderie makes the Wildcats one of the best teams in the Midwest. "Our team has a special connection," says Miklus. "It is indescribable the friendships you make with this sport."

Miklus reflects on one of his favorite memories of being a part of the Crew Cats is the competition at the Head of the Charles. "The team went to Boston and I was the only sophomore on that trip," explains Miklus. "Although I was an alternate, it was still such a memorable experience with the team."

"Pat is a guy that works to the highest possible level and the freshman and sophomores pick up on his dedication," says Walters. "He has a lot of energy and does everything with others. For the younger guys, it goes a long way."

The Crew Cats are currently in the off-season and are hard at work training for the upcoming spring season. "I'm so excited for this season," says Miklus. "I want to improve on the erg, but we want to win a National Championship this season."

The Junior 8+ boat in 2019 was a Gold Medalist at the SRAA National Championship. Miklus and the Cats are hoping to win another National Championship in 2022 before he heads to Philadelphia in the fall.