2025-26 Men's Rowing Roster

Joe Tortella

  • Class Sophomore
  • Hometown Mullica Hill, N.J.
  • High School St. Augustine Prep
  • Major Biomedical Engineering

Biography

FRESHMAN (2024-25)
  • Competed in 14 races for the Toreros
  • Rowed in the bow seat in USD’s first-ever Henley Royal Regatta races in England, upsetting defending champs Oxford Brookes by just two feet in the first round (July 2)
  • Made his collegiate debut with a fourth place and a 10th place finish in USD’s “B” boats in the Collegiate 8+ race and the Collegiate 4+ race, respectively, during the Head of the American Regatta (October 26)
  • Recorded a runner-up finish and a third place finish in the Toreros’ “A” boats in the Open 4 race and the Open 8+ race at the San Diego Fall Classic (November 10)
  • Logged wins in the 2V8+ races against Orange Coast College and UC Irvine in the Redwood Shores Invitational (March 1-2) as well as a win against UCLA in the California Challenge Cup (March 1)
  • Finished second in the 2V8+ finals of the San Diego Crew Classic (March 29-30)
  • Recorded a runner-up finish in the 1V8+ race at the WIRA Championships (April 26-27) after winning the heat the day before. 
  • Helped USD garner its program-best finish in the Varsity 4+ race at the IRA Championships (May 30-June 1), placing 10th out of 39 teams in the finals
HIGH SCHOOL 
  • Attended St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, N.J.
  • Captained his rowing team during his senior year
  • Earned Head of School honors all four years
  • Also competed in varsity swimming all four years, where he won two New Jersey State Championships
PERSONAL
  • Born to Doug Tortella and Christina Tortella in Vineland, N.J., has a brother, Ryan
  • Chose USD because of the atmosphere on campus from the coaches, the team and the location; “Everything screamed home to me.”
  • Favorite memory is rowing at the Head of American in 2024
  • Favorite food is chicken parm
  • Favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Historical Player Information

  • 2024-25Freshman

  • 2025-26Sophomore