Rowing Adds Five During Fall Signing Period
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami rowing team welcomed the newest members of the Hurricanes rowing family this fall, signing five future Canes to National Letters of Intent.
The Hurricanes signed five incoming freshmen rowers during the fall signing period, and all are expected to make an impact for the Canes.
“I am very excited and proud to announce our early signing group of future Hurricane rowers,” Miami head coach Dave Sanderson said. “Each athlete has excelled on the water and in the classroom and will become integral members of our team. They each share a passion for the sport and a desire to challenge themselves as they continue to improve and develop. Of course, they also all love to race. We can’t wait to have them here in Coral Gables next year contributing to the team and racing for the Canes.”
Fiona Aronson | Rower | Rye, N.Y. | School of the Holy Child | Maritime Rowing Club
Aronson comes to Miami from Rye, N.Y., where she attends School of the Holy Child and is a standout rower for Maritime Rowing Club. She took fifth place at the 2015 Club Nationals in the U19 4x and was third at the 2016 Club Nationals in the U19 4x. Aronson also finished eighth at the 2016 Head of the Charles in the Youth 2x.
“I chose the University of Miami because I fell in love with the vibes on campus,” Aronson said. “I love the team and the coaches and I think it’s a great environment for students to thrive academically and athletically as you grow and shape yourself as a person.”
Julia Giannotta | Rower | Wayne, N.J. | Immaculate Heart Academy | Bergen County Rowing Club
Giannotta hails from Wayne, N.J., where she attends Immaculate Heart Academy and is an accomplished rower for Bergen County Rowing Club. She finished third in the 1x at 2016 Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships and advanced to the USRowing Youth Nationals. Giannotta also finished 11th out of 60 in the U19 women’s single event at the 134th Royal Canadian Henley. A multi-sport athlete, she also helped her varsity basketball team at Immaculate Heart Academy win the sectional championship.
“I chose to commit to the University of Miami because of the phenomenal academic and athletic program it offered,” Giannotta said. “The moment I stepped on campus, I felt like I was home. I was very impressed with the exceptional coaching staff and team. In addition to getting an incredible education, Miami will be a school that will exceed all my expectations. I am absolutely thrilled to attend my dream school and be a part of the Canes family.”
Kathleen Hanson | Rower | Keww, Victoria, Australia | Ruyton Girls’ School | Mercantile Rowing Club
Hanson comes to Miami from Australia, where she is one of the top rowers in her country. A gold medalist in the U17 4x at Australian Nationals, Hanson is eager to begin her collegiate career at Miami.
“I chose the University of Miami because I fell in love with the culture of the college,” Hanson said. “I’ve been blown away by not only the amazing grounds and facilities, but the kind and friendly nature of the people. I can’t wait to don the orange and green and call myself a Cane.”
Emily Kean | Rower | Fair Haven, N.J. | Rumson-Fair Haven
Kean is another New Jersey native headed to Miami, coming to Coral Gables from Fair Haven, N.J. A standout for Rumson-Fair Haven, Kean placed first overall out of 48 in qualifications for Stotesbury and finished fourth in the finals. She also has competed internationally at the 2016 Women’s Henley regatta in England and placed 10th overall in the women’s lightweight event in C.R.A.S.H. Bs.
“I chose Miami for both the academic and athletic opportunities it gives me,” Kean said. “I love how diverse the university is, along with the student to professor ratio. And I loved seeing the passion and respect that the team and the coaches had for rowing and for each other. I can’t wait to be a part of it next fall.”
Morgan Sherman | Rower | Moorestown, N.J. | Merion Mercy Academy
Sherman is an accomplished rower from Merion Mercy Academy in Merion Station, Pa. She was a bronze medalist at the 2016 SRAA nationals in the JV8+ and placed 14th overall in the Varsity 8+ at the Head of the Charles, earning the best result in Merion history. A native of Moorestown, N.J., Sherman also helped her boat finish first in the Varsity 8+ event at the 2016 Navy Day Regatta.
“What convinced me to chose The U can’t be narrowed down to just one or two things,” Sherman said. “First off, as soon as I walked into dinner on Thursday night of my official visit, I felt right at home. I was able to be myself and share some great laughs with the girls and coaches. The school also blew me away, both with its appearance and academically. Miami seemed to have everything I had ever wanted, all in one place. Finally, the drive for improvement was truly inspiring. Hearing stories of how the girls work out twice a day simply to get better and build their team up was incredible. I will never forget watching the girls put everything on the line at their erg workout. That was the solidifying moment. I wanted to find a team that would do anything for me. I wanted to find a school that had everything I was looking for. The University of Miami did both of those things and so much more for me and I couldn’t be more excited to call myself a Hurricane.”
Aronson, Giannotta, Hanson, Kean and Sherman are set to join the Hurricanes prior to the 2017-18 academic year.
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.
