Junior (2007-08)…
Part of the Varsity Eight “B” boat that competed in the Rivanna Romp in Chatlottesville, Va. … Rowed in four seat against UCF for the 2V8 boat that collected a third place overall finish … Rowing in four seat and seven of Second Varsity Eight, helped crew to first place finish against Eastern Michigan (7:24.83) on Apr. 6 in Ypsilanti, Mich. … 2V8 posted a sixth place finish at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships in Clemson, S.C. … Four seat against Jacksonville (Apr. 26) where she helped the Hurricanes to a second place finish with a time of 5:54.7.
Sophomore (2006-07)…
Part of the Varsity eight at 2007 San Diego Crew Classic.
Freshman (2005-06)…
Competed in 2005/2006 in Novice eight, Junior Varsity eight and Varsity eight … Part of the Varsity eight at 2006 Rivanna Romp finishing ahead of UCF, Wisconsin, Clemson, and Texas Varsity eights … Bronze medalist in Junior Varsity eight C Final at 2006 South/Central Sprints … Fourth place in Novice eight at 2006 ACC Championships … Bronze medalist in the Junior Varsity eight at 2006 SIRA Championships … Gold medalist in the Novice eight and silver medalist in the Junior Varsity eight at 2006 FIRA State Championships … Fourth place in the Varsity eight at 2005 Florida Fall Regatta … Gold medalist in Varsity eight at 2005 Head of the Hooch Regatta.
High School/Prep…
Coached by Eric Catalano, Chris Chase and Heather Smith … Was a four-time gold medalist at the New York State Section II Championships … Was a four-time gold medalist at the New York State Championships … Won two gold medals at the Head of the Fish … Won four gold medals at the Tail of the Fish … Placed fifth at Nationals … Competed at the Head of the Charles … Participated in basketball, lacrosse, 17 years of dance, and volunteer teaching in dance … Named “Who’s Who Among America High School Students” from 2001-2003 … Earned the “Sports Edition” honor in 2004 and 2005 … Was a part of the National Junior Honor Society.
Personal…
Majoring in Exercise Physiology with minors in Sports Medicine and Dance … Daughter of Dianne Carola and Sean Hardies … Has two siblings, Katie (23) and Stacia (16) … Mother works as a dance choreographer … Chose to attend UM because she fell in love with the city and weather, and the team was amazing … First impression of UM was “I love it.”
At the Starting Line with Sporko…
Says she loves dancing, surfing, scuba diving and spending as much time as possible with friends when she’s away from the water … Lists Derek Jeter as her favorite athlete because she’s never seen a more dedicated, driven and inspiring athlete that works so hard … Favorite rowing memory was in ninth grade for her second-ever race, where she hit land about five times and still won the novice race by at least two minutes … Says her goals at Miami are to have an overall amazing and life-changing experience, as well as meet people that she will stay close with and learn from.
