Rowing Welcomes Eight Student-Athletes During Fall Signing Period
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami rowing team introduced the newest members of the Hurricanes rowing program on Wednesday with the signing of eight student-athletes to next year’s team.
The eight additions to the squad will figure to make an immediate impact on next year’s squad.
“I’m pleased to announce our early signing class for fall of 2018,” Miami head coach Dave Sanderson said. “Each athlete will come in with their own strengths but together will form the foundation for the entire class to be completed next spring. We feel each athlete will continue to develop and improve athletically and will be successful academically in their chosen majors. We look forward to these eight athletes adding depth and speed to the team and cant wait to work with them.”
The signing of the eight student-athletes for next year concludes several months of recruiting for the Hurricanes’ coaching staff. This year’s class also welcomes student-athletes from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida (2), New Jersey (2), Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“I have had a blast getting to know these women over the last year and could not be more proud to welcome them to Miami,” Hurricane assistant coach Briana Pittman said. “They will undoubtebly contribute to taking this team to the next level. They all come to us with impressive race results and their goals match up exactly with what we are doing.”
Emmalyn Brenner | Washington Depot, Conn. | GMS
Brenner comes to Miami following a 2017 campaign that saw her boat finish in the top three at four different regattas. The Connecticut native posted a banner year in 2017, as she took second-place honors at the Mercer Lake Sprints and the Saratoga Invitational, competing in the double. She followed up that performance up with a third-place finish at the Head of the Fish Regatta where she competed in the quad. She also tallied a third-place performance at the Amber Zapatka Memorial regatta.
“Emmalyn’s has a clear and thoughtful process in her approach to rowing and her academics,” Sanderson said. “Her ability to move a boat is exciting but her initiative, positive attitude, and determination to continue to improve make her poised to excel as a student and athlete here in Miami. We look forward to her contributions to the team and welcome her to Miami!”
Sara Hansen | Princeton JCT, N.J. | PNRA Mercer
Hansen has logged six top five finishes throughout her high school and club rowing career. She shined in 2017, as she posted three top five finishes. Her best finish in 2017 came at the Club Nationals regatta where she took second place, competing in the women’s immediate pair. Hansen competed at the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta where she raced to a fifth-place finish in the eight. She also took fifth at the Crash B Indoor World Championships in the junior lightweight category. In 2016, Hansen posted a second-place finish in the women’s intermediate pair at the Royal Canadian Henly Regatta. As a freshman in 2015, she competed in the lightweight eight at the USRowing Youth Nationals where her team finished third. Earlier that year, she competed in the eight at the Head of the Charles Regatta where her team placed third.
“Sara is a ferocious racer,” Pittman said. “She is an extremely accomplished athlete from a very successful program. She has top results in small boats, big boats, and at indoor championships. This breadth of success shows her versatility and ability to succeed in all facets of racing. From the moment I met her I knew she would make an impact on the team. She radiates tenacity and we are very excited to welcome her to the U!
Laura Johnson | Tempe, Ariz. | Tempe Juniors/ Row West
Johnson enters her final high school season in Arizona after she was chosen as a captain during her junior season by her teammates and coaches. She burst on the scene as a novice, leading her team to a winning performance. In 2016, Johnson competed in the double that won San Diego Fall Classic. The following year, Johnson’s quad team took third at the San Diego Fall Classic. She also competed in the Under 23 eight that took fourth at the USRowing Club Nationals.
“Laura is a highly motivated student and athlete with a passion for rowing,” Sanderson said. “She has broad range of experience in a number of different boat classes with a good amount of miles in small boats. We are excited to see her continue to develop and excel here in Miami. Welcome!”
Ella Kennedy | Sarasota, Fla. | Sarasota Crew
Kennedy signed with Miami after compiling a decorated high school career where she earned 35 medals throughout prep career. In 2017, she posted a winning performance at the Florida State Championships in the eight race. Kennedy went on to close the year by competing in quad, which took eighth at the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships. This past October, Kennedy’s boat took 15th in the eight at the Head of the Charles Regatta with her sitting in the seven seat.
“Ella is a physical leader from a top Florida program. She has contributed to elevating her team each year to better and better results in the varsity eight. She will bring technical proficiency and a drive for success. I am confident Ella will add great speed to the team. We are very excited to welcome Ella to the other side of the state and to the canes rowing family!”
Taylor Kuligowski | Great Falls, Va. | Resilient Rowing/ Langley High School
Kuligowski comes to Miami as one of the top rowers in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States after she competed in the 2017 Regional Challenge. Kuligowski posted three top five performances at the 2017 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, rowing in the eight, four with coxswain and the quad. In 2016, Kuligowski won gold at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, competing in the Under 19 four with coxswain race. She also has captured the 15 and 16 year old division at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints.
“After following Taylor’s racing success and learning she was interested in Marine Biology, we were immediately interested in learning more about her,” Sanderson said. “Through the recruiting process we felt confident Taylor could excel academically here at Miami and her racing savvy and experience would clearly add speed to the team. We are excited to welcome her to Miami!”
Isabella Larder | Miami Beach, Fla. | Miami Beach Rowing Club/ CRI
Larder elected to stay home following impressive career competing on the Miami Beach Rowing Club. In 2017, the South Florida native competed on four different boats that posted top five finishes at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, USRowing Youth Nationals and the USRowing Club Nationals. Larder highlighted the year by winning the Under 19 division at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (eight) and the USRowing Club Nationals (quad). Larder also competed in the heavyweight junior women’s category at the 2017 CRASH B Indoor World Championships that placed 16th. Larder also took part in the 2017 Regional Challenge in Sarasota, Fla., which features some of the top rowers in the Southeastern region of the United States.
“Isabella is one of the top rowers in the state of Florida,” Pittman said. “She has seen the value in where we row and train and we cannot wait to see her take it to the next level on the Indian Creek. Not only does she have impressive race results, Bella has taken the initiative to surround herself with faster athletes by training and racing in Boston, Mass. this past summer. Welcome to the family, Bella!”
Abby Schwenger | Plymouth Meeting, Pa. | Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Schwenger comes to Miami with four winning performances during her prep career, capturing titles at the 2017 SRAA Nationals (eight), the 2016 (eight) and 2017 City Championships (eight) and the 2017 USDBF Club Crew National Dragon Boat Championships as the drummer.
“Abby brings a wealth of coxing experience and ability from a storied Philadelphia program,” Sanderson said. “She has shown herself to be a poised, articulate and focused individual with high academic and athletic goals. We look forward to having her driving a shell here in Miami next year!”
Maren Stickley | Ocean City, N.J. | Ocean City High School/ Vesper Boat Club
Stickley arrives in Coral Gables after she coxed one of the most prominent junior summer racing programs at the Vesper Boat Club. She also raced at the 2016 Stotesbury Cup in the JV4+ where her team finished ninth out of 70 boats. In 2017, Stickey competed at the Royal Canadian Henly Regatta in the under 19 four with coxswain for Vesper Boat Club.
“Maren comes from a family of rowing and is very experienced in her craft,” Pittman said. “She will bring her love for the sport along with her competitive nature to the team. We are particularly proud of Maren’s experience at Vesper Boat Club. She stepped up to the challenge of coxing at one of the premier summer racing programs and contributed to some of the programs best results. Welcome to the Canes’ family, Maren!”
