John Terwilliger rowed at Seattle Pacific University, where he was known as Lurch, for his size and his intense demeanor. At Seattle Pacific, Terwilliger led them to a bronze medal in coxless fours at the 1981 Dad Vail Regatta, the first time the school had ever been invited to that invitational on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Terwilliger was on the US national team from 1980-88, making three Olympic teams, including the ill-fated 1980 team, and winning a silver medal in the eights at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He rowed at six World Championships (1979, 1981-83, 1986-87), winning a bronze medal in eights in 1986. Terwilliger also won a gold medal in eights at the 1986 Goodwill Games. Terwilliger later became a commercial real estate broker in the San Diego area.
United States