Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Rowing Announces Recruiting Class
6/29/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
June 29, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head women's rowing coach Stephen Kish announced Thursday the addition of 17 student-athletes who will join his program this fall. The Class of 2010 is one of the largest recruiting classes in program history and features student-athletes from seven different states.
"We are excited to follow up last year's strong recruiting class with another year of experienced rowers from around the country," commented Kish, who recently completed his 10th season as mentor of the Bison women's rowing program.
The recruits fall into one of three categories: coxswains, lightweights and openweights.
Katie Kessler and Lauren Weinstein comprise just the second group of experienced coxswains Kish has recruited. The duo will join a veteran group of Christine Kassab, Anna Latimer, Lisa Patel, Coral Swartz and Jeweliet Yost to give the Bison a talented contingent of coxswains.
"The knowledge base experienced coxswains bring the program is an invaluable addition that will help the team continue increasing speed year after year," said Kish.
The lightweight recruits are Eileen Belfield, Lauren Hallanan, Devon Mitchell, Gabrielle Pettinelli, Hilary Smith, Kerry Sullivan and Kim Weaver. Kish again expects his incoming recruits to have an immediate impact on the Varsity Lightweight Eight, which is no small task considering the success the Bison lightweights have experienced over the past few years. This spring the Bucknell Lightweight Eight posted its best-ever finish at the IRA National Championships, while it has also recently won gold and silver medals at the Dad Vail Regatta and was selected to represent the program at the 2004 Henley Women's Regatta in England.
"The incoming lightweights will strengthen a group that has proved to be a contender at the top level of lightweight women's rowing," explained Kish.
The openweight list of recruits is the largest, featuring eight student-athletes. Renee Alemi, Jessica Asbridge, Natalie Elghossain, Olivia Knodt, Meghan O'Reilly, Elizabeth Regan, Katrina Schmaltz and Betsy Schneider comprise the openweights.
"With a large jump in success by our openweight eight this year, including two wins at the Patriot League Championship, I am excited to see what the varied rowing experiences of our openweight recruits will bring to the program," stated Kish, the 2006 Patriot League Coach of the Year. "I can't wait to see how they will contribute to the increasing speed and momentum of our openweight eight."
Bucknell's 17 recruits will join 35 returning rowers to form the 2006-07 Bison women's rowing squad. Meredith Henry, Lauren Olsen, Laura Roberts and Susan Shadle will form the four-person senior class.
BUCKNELL WOMEN'S ROWING 2006 RECRUITING CLASS
Name - Hometown/High School
Renee Alemi - Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial
Jessica Asbridge - Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish
Eileen Belfield - Calverton, N.Y./Riverhead
Natalie Elghossian - Cranbury, N.J./Peddie School
Lauren Hallanan - Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs
Katie Kessler - Sayville, N.Y./St. Anthony's
Olivia Knodt - Grosse Pointe, Mich./Grosse Pointe South
Devon Mitchell - Medford, N.J./Shawnee
Meghan O'Reilly - Willington, Conn./Edwin O. Smith
Gabrielle Pettinelli - Mount Laurel, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep
Elizabeth Regan - Smithtown, N.Y./St. Anthony's
Katrina Schmaltz - Waverly, Pa./Abington Heights
Betsy Schneider - Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Episcopal
Hilary Smith - Old Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich
Kerry Sullivan - Redding, Conn./Mercy
Kim Weaver - Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny
Lauren Weinstein - Branchville, N.J./Blair Academy
Renee Alemi (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial)
High School: Member of the Haddonfield Rowing Club ... stroke of the Varsity Eight ... First Team Colonial Conference Swimming Honoree in 2003 and 2004 ... won the title of New Jersey state swimming champion ... Vice President of the National Honor Society ... Honor Roll student ... secretary of the Student Council.
Personal: Full name is Renee Alemi ... born on April 26, 1988 ... daughter of John and Rose Alemi ... has a brother, John, and sister, Michelle ... major is undeclared.
Jessica Asbridge (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish)
High School: Member of the Everett Rowing Association for all four years of high school ... 2005, three seat of the Varsity Eight ... placed first at the Windermere Cup, Brentwood Regatta, and NW Junior Regionals ... placed second at the USRowing Youth Invitational ... named "Most Improved"... 2006, five seat of the Varsity Eight ... placed first again at the Windemere Cup, Brentwood Regatta and NW Junior Regionals ... placed third at the USRowing Youth National Championsips ... member of the National Honor Society and honor roll.
Personal: Full name is Jessica Lynn Asbridge ... daughter of Michael and Karen Asbridge ... born on Aug. 20, 1987 ... sisters Morgan (Sarah Lawrence College) and Adrienne ...major is undeclared.
Eileen Belfield (Calverton, N.Y./Riverhead)
High School: Member of the East End Rowing Club where she rowed a double ... captain of her rowing and field hockey teams ... won gold at the Eastern New York State Public High School Championships in 2005 and 2006 ... won silver at the Empire State Games in 2005 ... third at the Long Island Scholastic Sprints in 2005 ... won the Coaches Award for rowing in 2006 ... named AP Physics Student of the Month ... won the Outstanding Student of the member of the National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society and High School Honor Roll
Personal: Full name is Eileen Frances Belfield ... daughter of Scott and Nora Belfield ... born on Nov. 24, 1987 ... younger sister, Erin ... major is undeclared.
Natalie Elghossian (Cranbury, N.J./Peddie School)
High School: Member of the Peddie School Crew and Mercer Junior Rowing Club ... qualified for the semifinals at Stotesbury Cup in the spring of 2004 ... qualified for the semifinals at the SRA Nationals ... awarded the Caspersen Crew Award, given to the rower who "exhibits not only dedication and commitment, but the very spirit of rowing" ... made high honors every term of her academic career ... graduated cum laude.
Personal: Full name is ... daughter of Antoine and Nina Elghossain ... has both a younger and an older brother ... born on Nov. 18, 1987 ... major is undeclared.
Lauren Hallanan (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs)
High School: Member of the Saratoga Rowing Association ... sat bow in the Lightweight Four ... placed fifth at Scholastic Rowing Association Nationals ... won twice and placed second at the New York State Scholastic Championships ... placed first at the Saratoga Invitational ... member of the National Honor Society ... recipient of the Academic Recognition Award ... member of the Science Research Club and Key Club.
Personal: Full name is Lauren Sisson Hallanan ... daughter of Will Hallanan and Holly Hulfish ... born on Sept. 19, 1988 ... intends to pursue a major in international relations.
Katie Kessler (Sayville, N.Y./St. Anthony's)
High School: Member and captain of the St. Anthony's High School Rowing Team ... coxswain of the Varsity Eight since sophomore year ... placed second at New York State Championships two years in a row ... placed second at the Head of the Connecticut in the Lightweight Four+ ... recipient of the St. Bonaventure award ... was actively involved with the St. Anthony's Leadership Team, Public Relations Organization, and Girl Scouts.
Personal: Full name is Katie Lynne Kessler ... daughter of Dennis and Kathleen Kessler ... born on Dec. 5, 1988 ... will pursue a degree in business.
Olivia Knodt (Grosse Pointe, Mich./Grosse Pointe)
High School: Member of the Detroit Boat Club ... 6 and 2 seats of the Varsity Eight for her team ... garnered an eighth-place finish at the Head of the Charles, a first-place finish at the Head of the Schuylkill, both second- and third-place finishes at Midwestern Championships and a sixth-place finish at Nationals in Cincinnati ... was on the honor roll for three years.
Personal: Full name is Olivia Marie Knodt ... daughter of Christoph Knodt and Claudia Ganem ... born on Oct. 23, 1987 in Berlin, Germany ... intends to pursue international relations as her major.
Devon Mitchell (Medford, N.J./Shawnee)
High School: Member of South Jersey Rowing Club ... placed third in the Novice Four at New Jersey State Scholastic Rowing Championships in 2004 ... placed first in the Jr. Women's Eight and second in the 500-meter dash at the Philadelphia Youth Regatta ... placed first in the varsity quad at the 2005 Navy Day Regatta ... honor roll student all four years ... Principal's list for seven semesters ... member of the National Honor Society ... received awards from the National Foreign Language Honors Society, as well as at the Shawnee Art Show.
Personal: Full name is Devon Joy Mitchell ... daughter of Paul and Joyce Mitchell ...sister Miranda ... born on July 21, 1988 ... planning to major in environmental studies.
Meghan O'Reilly (Willington, Conn./Edwin O. Smith)
High School: Member of Edwin O. Smith High School Rowing team ... rowed to a second-place finish at the Connecticut Public School Regatta ... was also a competitor at the NEIRA Championships ... presented with the award of Most Improved Rower in 2004 and 2005 ... claimed that title along with the title of Most Valuable Rower ... member of the National Honor Society
Personal: Full name is Meghan Marie O'Reilly ... daughter of Kevin and Debra O'Reilly ... born Sept. 17, 1988 ... major is undeclared.
Gabrielle Pettinelli (Mount Laurel, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep)
High School: Student at Bishop Eustace Prep ... rowed in the Varsity Eight ... placed second at both the Philadelphia City Championships and the New Jersey State Championships and fifth at Scholastic Nationals ... made the Principal's List ... member of the National Honor Society and Music Honors Society.
Personal: Full name is Gabrielle Elise Pettinelli ... daughter of Frank and Michele Pettinelli ... born Jan. 5, 1988 ... major is undeclared.
Elizabeth Regan (Smithtown, N.Y./St. Anthony's)
High School: Four-year member of St. Anthony's High School Rowing Team ... member of the Varsity Eight that placed first at the Tail of the Fish and second at the Head of the Charles in 2005 ... also finished with silver or gold at the Head of the Husatonic, Bill Braxton, and the Frostbite Regattas ... member of the National Honor Society and the Gregorian Scholar, and listed on the Principal's Honor Roll.
Personal: Full name is Elizabeth Michele Regan ... daughter of James and Victoria Regan ... has a sister, Julie, and a brother, Patrick ... born on June 11, 1988 ... comes to Bucknell hoping to pursue business and accounting.
Katrina Schmaltz (Waverly, Pa./Abington Heights)
High School: Played soccer and basketball at Abington Heights ...selected to the Times-Tribune Honorable mention all-star team ... selected to play in all-star games for both soccer and basketball.
Personal: Full name is Katrina Marie Schmaltz ... born on Nov. 19, 1987 ... daughter of ... Mary Jo and Dr. Harry Schmaltz ... would like to major in management.
Betsy Schneider (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Episcopal)
High School: Member of the Episcopal High School of Jacksonville rowing team ... won Florida States in the freshman 4+ ... went on to win the Junior 4+ at Stotesbury in 2005 ... placed fifth at Nationals in the senior 4+ from the bow seat ... was on the Headmaster's Honor Roll and inducted into the National Foreign Language Honor Society.
Personal: Full name is Elisabeth Rae Schneider, but prefers to be called "Betsy" ... daughter of Timothy and Erika Schneider ... born Aug. 27, 1988 ... major is undeclared.
Hilary Smith (Old Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich)
High School: Member of the Greenwich High School rowing team ... also a member of the state championship tennis team, earning All-State honors ... member of National Honor Society and the French Honor Society ... recipient of the French Language Award, Student Recognition Award, High Honor Roll, and Head Master' Award ... editor in chief of her high school yearbook.
Personal: Full name is Hilary Putnam Smith ... daughter of James Hoffman and Pamela Smith ... born on Jan. 3, 1988 ... would like to pursue sociology as her major.
Kerry Sullivan (Redding, Conn./Mercy)
High School: Rowed for the Saugatuck Rowing Club ... captain of the team her senior year ... placed first in NE Regional Junior Lightweight Eight, thus qualifying her for Jr. Nationals ... placed first in the Cooper Cup in the JV Quad ... third at USRowing Nationals in 2005 in the Intermediate Lightweight Quad ... member of the varsity swim team ... Honor Roll student and High Honor Roll student her senior year.
Personal: Full name is Kerry Elizabeth Sullivan ... daughter of Thomas and Peggy Sullivan ... born on July 27, 1988 ... considering a major in international relations.
Kim Weaver (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)
High School: Rowed for the North Allegheny Rowing Association ... captain of the rowing team for 2005-06 ... won the Head of the Ohio and the Speakmon Regatta in 2004 and 2005 in the lightweight double and open quad respectively ... second at the Head of the Occoquan in the lightweight double in 2005 ... won Mercer Lake Super Sprints in the Octuple in 2006 ... won Mercer Lake Sprints in lightweight single in 2006 ... received awards including: best varsity lightweight erg, "110% award" ... member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Head of the Finance Committee ... play both piano and violin as a member of the orchestra.
Personal: Full name is Kimberly Nicole Weaver ... daughter of Lance and Sharon Weaver ... born on June 2, 1988 ... sister, Michelle ... interested in pursuing a degree in cell biology/biochemistry.
Lauren Weinstein (Branchville, N.J./Blair Academy)
High School: Coxed for the Blair Academy Rowing team ... won the New York City Sprints and Upper Merion Invitational in the Lightweight 4+ as well as a bronze medal at the Stotesbury Regatta ... served as captain of the team and was awarded the Kemp Crew Prize.
Personal: Full name is Lauren Stacey Weinstein ... born on Feb. 11, 1988 ... daughter of Barry and Amelia Weinstein ... intends to major in art history.
