arvard’s rowers spend months, even years, working together to build a brotherhood meant to last a lifetime. For Mason and Owen Cruz-Abrams, this brotherhood is literal.

The Cruz-Abrams family has a deep-rooted history in Harvard Athletics. Their mother, Hilary Cruz-Abrams ’97; father, Carlos Cruz-Abrams ’97; and grandfather, David Abramson ’65, were all Harvard swimmers and divers. Mason and Owen’s older sister, Robin Cruz-Abrams ’25, continued the family’s legacy on the women’s swim and dive team.

During her time at Harvard, R. Cruz-Abrams kicked off her freshman year by helping the Crimson win the 2022 Ivy League Championship. In her sophomore year, she set her personal best record in the 1,650 freestyle at the Minnesota Invitational with a time of 17:40.67.

The brothers now continue the family’s athletic traditions as members of the men’s heavyweight rowing team.

Mason, a senior, began his collegiate athletic career on the Nordic skiing team during his first year at Harvard, earning USCSCA All-Academic Ski Team accolades, before joining rowing his sophomore year. This year, Mason also joined the men’s water polo team, where he serves as a utility player.

This fall, Owen, a freshman, joined his older brother Mason at Newell Boathouse. The brothers are looking forward to an exciting year in Cambridge, both as siblings and as teammates.

“Rowing is the ultimate team sport, and my brother is the ultimate teammate. I couldn’t ask for more,” Mason said.

Before Harvard

The brothers’ shared memories in sports began long before they each arrived at Harvard.

As Aspen, Co., natives, skiing has always been a big part of their lives. Before they took up oars, the brothers were cross-country ski racers, and they found it difficult to remember competing without each other.

The Cruz-Abrams brothers’ teamwork goes back to their high school years when the pair skied together for Vail Mountain School.

“Mason inspired me to get started with both skiing and rowing, and he was my training partner – and best friend – throughout my ski career,” Owen said.

Even when heaps of Colorado snow closed roads and canceled practices, the pair refused to let any obstacles get in their way and prevent them from training. Mason specifically recounted a day when they used their neighborhood as their ski trail. Braving the fierce blizzard conditions, the brothers donned their skis and made tracks that stretched from their front door all the way downtown on the frontage roads.

For Mason, this particular story from their childhood left a lasting impression. Rather than one specific competition, they remember the everyday moments as brothers and teammates.

“I don’t think I would be the athlete I am today without always having my younger brother push me to become a better athlete, scholar, and human being,” Mason reflected.

Both Mason and Owen consider the chance to be teammates again in college and share a whole season together as the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Together, we’ve had so many great memories on the slopes and in the mountains, and now we’re building more on the water. I feel so lucky to get to row with my brother,” Owen said.

Two Oars, One Family

“Throughout my career, I’ve experienced everything from victory to orthopedic surgery,” Mason said. “[Owen’s] my biggest advocate — we’ve always been there for each other.”

As a freshman skier, Mason suffered an ACL tear and was forced to undergo surgery and an intense rehabilitation process. But through challenging times, the brothers rely on each other as their support system on and off the water.

“I think that having my brother there makes the highs higher, and it also turns the lows into stepping stones rather than obstacles,” Mason said.

Now, reunited at Harvard, the brothers look to strengthen their bond in a collegiate environment—conquering another stage of life together while racing down the Charles River.

“Seeing him on the dock every morning and evening, getting breakfast and dinner after practice, taking a class together this fall — and obviously getting to row together, sometimes even in the same pair, is incredible,” Mason said.

The senior says his collection of memories at Harvard will be more meaningful than any singular event. However, the Head of the Charles Regatta will be the brothers’ first official race together, and the first of many milestones they hope to accomplish.

“I’m so excited to get to row with Mason this year,” Owen said. “He’s been my inspiration in sports ever since he taught me to cross-country ski more than half a decade ago, and it means a lot that we get to be boatmates too.”

Although it is both their first and last year rowing together at Harvard, their teamwork is shaping memories that will last for a lifetime.

“It gives me so much pleasure to see him succeed,” Mason exclaimed. “And I hope he can learn from me and surpass anything I accomplish on the water or otherwise.”

After Mason graduates this spring, Owen will carry on the Cruz-Abrams legacy on the heavyweight team for another three years.

The Next Stroke

The Cruz-Abrams’ story, continued by the brothers representing the Crimson, is just beginning, but many exciting moments await over the men’s heavyweight team’s nearly year-long season.

“I’m so lucky to have the privilege of rowing with him this year, and I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life,” Mason said.

“While in the spring we’ll take our last strokes together in Harvard uniforms, we won’t be close to done supporting each other for the rest of our lives,” Mason said.

— Staff writer Tiffany Oh can be reached at [email protected].

— Staff writer Kaylyn H. Kim can be reached at [email protected].