Cornell University Athletics

At Cornell
As a junior, Brownlee moved into the second varsity eight boat and won a bronze medal at the 2014 Eastern Sprints, helping the Big Red to earn its first Jope Cup since 2008. Brownlee rowed as a member of the freshmen eight during his rookie season. He helped the crew to a fourth place finish at the 2012 EARC Sprints. During the regular season, the freshmen eight earned victories over Penn, MIT, Columbia and Dartmouth.

Prior to Cornell
Brownlee lettered three times at Walt Whitman HS, winning the Maryland state championship his sophomore year, as well as the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association championship during his freshman year. During his senior year, he captained his team and was the top lightweight in the junior men’s 20 minute row at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints. Brownlee also competed for the Thompson Boat Center, helping his crew to the Head of the Occoquan championship in 2010, before stroking the U-19 eight to a second place finish at the 2011 Canadian Henley regatta.

Personal
William McKay Brownlee is the son of Steven and Denise Brownlee and he has one older brother. His grandfather William Brownlee earned a degree in engineering from Cornell in 1950 and was a four-year member of the Big Red heavyweight rowing team. Brownlee is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.