Strong Recruiting Class Sees Women's Rowing Sign Ten

PHILADELPHIA -- Temple women's rowing has announced a signing class that includes 10 talented student-athletes inked to join the Owls for the 2017-18 season. Temple welcomes DaeAijah Covert, Gabby DiMarco, Caroline Galati, Gabby Gordon, Rylie Hager, Kate Hudson, Amanda Hullihen, Ava Lugo, Cat Pazderski, and Caprial Turner to the cherry and white.

"The Class of 2021 is, by far, the most impressive class we've signed to date and we are so excited to welcome them to the Temple Rowing family," noted Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Alyssa O'Donnell. "All ten women felt the energy and momentum that defines Temple Rowing, and we are confident that they will each play a significant role in helping us achieve our goals of conference championships, national recognition, and NCAA Championship appearances."

"Alyssa did a great job getting the framework set up to close the largest and strongest early signing class in the history of the program," noted Head Coach Rebecca Grzybowski. "This level of recruiting is a critical piece of our larger team goals. I'm grateful to Alyssa, Nicole & Julia for their work in bringing this vision to reality."

DaeAijah Covert is a 5-7 rower from Lansdowne, Pa. A student at Monsignor Bonner Archbishop Prendergast, she is captain of her rowing team. This fall, her boats finished second at the Hidden River Chase, and also in the top-half of the field at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. As a junior, her crews took first at the Catholic Championships, and also fifth at the Philadelphia City Championships. Covert has extensive experience on the Owls' home hourse, rowing on the Schuylkill many times throughout her high school career. An anticipated biology major at Temple, she was influenced by the success that graduates from her school have had when attending Temple to row.

Grzybowski said: "DaeAijah comes from Prendie - a Philadelphia program that historically produces hard working, committed athletes who know how to grind. We know that Dae is a very disciplined athlete and a leader on her team. We're really looking forward to her joining in the great tradition of Prendie rowers-turned-Temple rowers and we know she will be a force."

Gabby DiMarco is a 5-7 rower from Boothwyn, Pa. A student at Padua Academy, her boats have most recently taken fourth place at both the Navy Day and Head of the Christina Regatta this fall. DiMarco has also been a part of crews that took first at the Baltimore Invitational and first at the Mid Atlantic Regionals. An honor roll student, she plans on majoring in secondary social studies education. She said of her decision to attend Temple, "As soon as I toured the school I finally knew what people meant when they'd say "the school gave me a feeling it's the place for me." I also loved the rowing team as soon as I met them, they were so nice and welcoming and the couching staff was the nicest I've ever met!"

Grzybowski said: "Gabby has an awesome personality and is so enthusiastic about becoming an Owl! We're excited to see her flourish at Temple and impact the team in a really positive manner."

Caroline Galati is a 5-4 coxswain from Princeton, N.J. A West Windsor Plainsboro High School South, she is an accomplished coxswain, who most recently led her boats top top-five finishes at the Canadian Henley. Galati's boats took fourth in the U19 eights and fifth in the 4+ to a fourth-place finish at the U19 eights and a fifth place finish at the Canadian Henley in the U19 4+. As a junior she led her second varsity eight at the Head of the Charles and also won double gold in the U17 division at the Canadian Henley (8, 4+) as a sophomore. Galati was drawn to Temple after a great experience observing classes at Tyler School of Art, and she intends to be an art major.

Grzybowski said: "Caroline is a coxswain from a very competitive and impressive junior club. She has experience and success in a variety of high-level race situations and she brings a strong command and confident edge that we want in a coxswain."

Gabrielle Gordon is a 5-9 rower from Drexel Hill, Pa. An Archbiship Carroll High School student, she's rowed in the varsity eight for three seasons. Gordon's boats have taken first at the Center City Slam and most recently recorded a 15th-place finish at the event. A future biomedical engineer major, she is a Archdiocesean Scholars Program participant. She said of her decision to commit to Temple, "Several members of my team, my neighbors, and my family have attended Temple. When I began my college search I was immediately drawn to the campus, the women's rowing team, and the Temple community."

Grzybowski said: "Gabby is another student-athlete that comes from a program with strong Temple connections. Her coaches are Temple alums and from her first visit to campus it just felt like a perfect fit. She has a very bright future and we are looking forward to seeing her speed continue to develop at Temple."

Rylie Hager is a 5-9 rower from Mount Hermon, Mass. A Northfield Mount Hermon School student, she is both the team captain for crew and rowing. Her crews have finished sixth at the Head of the Riverfront, and 21st at the historic Head of the Charles Regatta. Hager had success early in her rowing career, as the only sophomore rowing in the varsity eight during the spring season. A member of the Student-Athlete Council for Excellence, she is a peer mediator and educator, and is a three-time honors student. Hager said of Temple, "I loved it the moment I stepped on campus, and loved it more meeting the coaches, seeing the city, and spending time with the team. It is overall the perfect fit for me."

Grzybowski said: "From day one, we were impressed with Rylie's positive attitude, her leadership and her maturity. She is a two-sport captain (swimming & rowing) with high expectations, and she loves to compete. We think she's just starting to scratch the surface of her rowing potential and we anticipate big things from her."

Kate Hudson is a 5-5 rower from Radnor, Pa. A student at Conestoga High School, she has recently in boats that have won the US Rowing Mid-Atlantic Championships, the Stotebury Cub, and the PSRA City Championships. Hudson rows for Vesper Boat Club, and has also been a US Rowing National B event champion in the lightweight 2x. She was also a SRAA National Champion. Hudson plans to major in art, and said her decision to attend Temple was influenced by, "the rowing coaches, the campus, and the school's facilities."

Grzybowski said: "Power-to-weight, Kate is one of the fastest rowers in Pennsylvania. Coming from a strong sculling program, she has a strong understanding about how to effectively move a small boat, which will no doubt translate into some big boat speed when she gets to Temple."

Amanda Hullihen is a 6-0 rower from Vineland, N.J. A student at Vineland High School, she holds the top spot on the schools' Top-10 2K list. A nationals qualifier for rowing in Ohio, she is also a member of the swim team, where she serves as co-captain. Hullihen takes honors classes at her high school and plans to major in elementary/early childhood education. She explained her decision to commit to Temple, "The coaching staff, the team, and the city like atmosphere. Right when I stepped foot on campus, and was able to sit down with the coaching staff to talk for a bit, I had a feeling that Temple would be my new home."

Grzybowski said: "Amanda's path to Temple fell perfectly into place at the exact right time and we couldn't be happier to welcome her to the team. The excitement and support of her entire family is a big part of her current success, and there is no doubt that with her frame and power, she can have an immediate impact on our top end speed."

Ava Lugo is a 5-9 rower from Chicago, Illinois. A student at Von Steuben High School, she has been a six-seat in her boat the last three seasons. Lugo's crews have finished both first and second at the Midwest Junior Championships. A future computer science major, she said of Temple, "I've always wanted to go to college on the East Coast. After visiting Temple I fell in love with the campus and the team. I knew from the first hour visiting that I wanted to attend Temple."

Grzybowski said: "Ava comes to Temple from a notable junior club in Chicago. Her humble demeanor, athletic frame, and personal drive make her the student-athlete she is today. She brings a quiet intensity that will help push everyone around her to be better. We're really excited to welcome her to Philly and to the team!"

Catherine Pazderski is a 5-9 rower from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. This fall, she was part of the boat that took fourth place in the youth 8+ event at the Head of the Charless Regatta. Pazderski's crews have also places fifth at the SRAA Championships and first at the New York State Scholastic Championship. In the summer of 2015, she was invited to and attending the US Rowing National Team Sculling Selection Camp, where she took first place at the Canadian Henley in the U17 1x event. Pazderski is also an attendee of the US Rowing Junior National Team High Performance Sweep Camp, and took first in the junior B 4- at the US Rowing Club National Championships. An honor roll student, she intends to major in political science, and she said of her decision to commit to Temple, "I knew I loved Temple from the moment I set foot on campus because I felt completely at home."

Grzybowski said: "Coming from Saratoga, Cat has a strong understanding of the competitiveness and drive that is required to make a program great. With her impressive success in both small and big boats, we're confident that she has the ability to be an immediate contributor."

Caprial Turner is a 5-9 rower from Seattle, Washington. A senior at Vashon Island High School, she is a four-year member of the rowing team. She was a part of the double that took home the title at the Northwest regional women's championship, and also finished ninth at the famed Head of the Charles. A future business major, Turner credits her decision to commit to Temple on "the team, coaches, and business school."

Grzybowski said: "Cap is moving three time zones to become a Temple Owl! Coming from a strong Vashon Island team in Seattle, she brings solid power, good racing experience and a fantastic attitude. We're thrilled to tap into her skill set and help her continue to grow and develop."

Temple University Athletics

Strong Recruiting Class Sees Women's Rowing Sign Ten

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