Rowing Inks Seven in Fall Signing Period
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami rowing team welcomed the newest members of the Hurricanes rowing family this fall, signing seven future Canes to National Letters of Intent.
The Hurricanes signed six incoming freshman and one transfer during the fall signing period. The group consists of six rowers and one coxswain and all are expected to make an impact for the Canes.
“I am excited to announce our newest members of the Hurricane rowing family,” Miami head coach Dave Sanderson said. “It is an outstanding group with great character and work ethic. Each athlete brings a different set of experiences that will help continue to build the team. All of our signees have shown a passion for continued development within our sport and the coaches are really looking forward to working with them.”
Halle Alitz | Rower | Boston, Mass. | Boston Latin
Alitz comes to Miami from Boston, Mass., where she was a standout rower for Community Rowing and currently rows for the Cambridge Boat Club. The Massachusetts native competed at the 2015 Head of the Charles and chose to come to Miami for its excellent academic and athletic history.
“I chose Miami academically because of its impressive student profile, its smaller class size, and for the opportunities it presents to interact directly with professors,” Alitz said. “I was excited by the energy of the coaching staff and the determination of the rowers to build Miami into an even faster program. It’s clear to see how this commitment to the team can translate into faster boats and I am very excited to be a part of that.”
Colleen Gillis | Coxswain | Howell, N.J. | Freehold Township
Gillis is an experienced coxswain, competing for Princeton National Rowing Association/Mercer County Juniors. The New Jersey native is excited to join the Hurricanes and believes Miami provides an outstanding opportunity for her to succeed in the classroom and on the water.
“I chose University of Miami because of the resources I will have as a student-athlete and the opportunities I will have in and out of the classroom,” Gillis said. “I also chose Miami because of the potential for speed as a team and having the chance to establish myself as a strong coxswain. Coming to the team, I want to learn about the girls, how the dynamic of the team works and what the goals are of each individual. While figuring that out, I plan to establish my goals. I want the team to know that I love joking around but also love working hard for positive results on and off the course.”
Kristen Klein | Rower | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Orange Coast College | Bishop Manogue
Klein is a transfer from Orange Coast College, where she was a member of the Novice A boat that won at the 2015 San Diego Crew Classic and placed third at WIRAs. The California native will be a junior when she joins the Hurricanes and is excited about the opportunity to finish her collegiate career in Coral Gables.
“The coaches show so much passion and love for rowing and that is the type of environment I thrive on,” Klein said. “I look forward to being a part of a team that has grown so much and has gotten stronger and faster every year and I only want to help the team grow even more. I know that the Psychology program will help me grow and allow me to succeed academically. I know that I will be both challenged and supported here at Miami.”
Katarzyna Pasternak | Rower |Liszki, Poland | August Witkoski HS No. 5
Pasternak hails from Poland, where she was an accomplished rower. As a senior, she was part of boats that placed first at the Polish U23 Championship, Polish Senior Nationals and at Wielka Wioślarska. She also had a lot of success as a junior, earning a trio of Top 3 finishes at the 2015 Southern Sprints and placing second in the 2V8+ at the American Youth Cup.
“I chose Miami because it’s a school with a lot of international opportunities and an excellent international studies program,” Pasternak said. “Miami has a great potential to grow faster and I want to be a part of that process.”
Glorianna Perrotte | Rower | Monroe, N.J. | Monroe Township
Perrotte is a multi-sport athlete from New Jersey, proving herself as a standout in rowing, softball and volleyball. Perrotte joined Princeton National Rowing Association/Mercer County Juniors as a novice in spring 2014 as part of her rehabilitation from a softball injury and fell in love with the sport. She has since developed into a rower that has proven herself capable of rowing collegiately and she will look to continue her development as a rower at Miami.
“It’s an honor to compete in the highest level of athletics and represent such a prestigious school,” Perrotte said. “Being surrounded by a bunch of hard-working athletes who are after a common goal will help me stretch my limits and work towards my potential. Miami is the perfect fit for me and my unique career. The small class sizes, endless research opportunities, and freedom to personalize my curriculum are a few reasons for choosing Miami academically. Academics have always come first for me because an education is something no one can ever take away.”
Victoria Stewart | Rower | Orange Park, Fla. | Oakleaf
Stewart will pursue her collegiate career in her home state of Florida. A talented rower, Stewart was named the 2014-15 Most Improved Novice Oarsman by her club, Evans Rowing Club. She was also a key member of the V4+ boat that placed third at the 2015 Florida State Championships.
“I chose to be a part of the Miami rowing program because of the abundance of support that the athletes receive athletically and academically,” Stewart said. “That, coupled with the outstanding coaching staff, leaves me no doubt that we will make it to the NCAA Championships, and the fact that I can be a part of building the team to reach that goal is so exciting. I also heard many great things about Miami’s academics and internship programs, but after I was actually able to visit the school, talk to the students, be involved with a class and speak with the Dean of Communications, I became so excited and ready to start learning my major.”
Demetra Vlahos | Rower | Port Washington, N.Y. | Paul D. Schreiber Senior
Vlahos is another multi-sport athlete that will join the Hurricanes rowing program. In addition to her success as a rower, the New York native played basketball, volleyball and competed in swimming. Vlahos, who is a captain of the Friends of Port Women’s Varsity team, set the boathouse record in the ergometer 5K at her club in 2014.
“I chose Miami because I wanted to be part of a rowing program that has the potential and the plans to reach even higher levels of competitiveness and even higher rankings,” Vlahos said. “I hope to contribute to reaching this goal during my four years at UM through my drive and dedication to this sport. I also chose Miami because of the extensive opportunities provided to us academically. The alumni involvement is refreshing, the 12:1 student to faculty ratio appealed to me, there is a great variety of programs and majors, and there is endless diversity among the student body.”
Alitz, Gillis , Klein, Pasternak, Perrotte, Stewart and Vlahos are set to join the Hurricanes prior to the 2016-17 academic year.
“Halle, Colleen, Kristen, Katarzyna, Glorianna, Victoria, and Demetra all share a passion for rowing and a passion for The U and I am thrilled they are joining our team,” Sanderson said.
For official updates and information please visit our website at HurricaneSports.com or “Like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/canesrowing. You can also “Follow” Miami rowing on Twitter at http://twitter.com/canesrowing. The program is also on Instagram.
