University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Women's Rowing Announces Addition of Nine Recruits for 2012-13 Season
7/20/2012 12:53:00 AM | Rowing
NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware women's rowing Interim head coach Jinny Jang has announced the signing of nine high school standouts who will join the Blue Hens in the 2012 fall season.
The recruits hale from different states and include Lauren Bacher from Wilmington, Del., Naomi Balodemas from Chevy Chase, Md., Alexandra Cruz of Montclair, N.J., Erin Dunne from Plymouth Meeting, Pa., Chloe Gallo of Hockessin, Del., Shannon Taylor from Wilmington, Del., Sarah Tenenbaum of Moorestown, N.J., Annie Waskover of Port Washington, N.Y., and Curtira Williams from Pikesville, Md.
“We are very excited to welcome this group of student-athletes to Delaware Women's Rowing,” said Jang. “They have each demonstrated excitement in fulfilling their academic goals at UD while improving the team's record. Each athlete has the experience, character, and potential to help us in our pursuit for greater boat speeds.”
Bacher, a 5-9 graduate of Concord High School in New Castle, Del., was a four-year standout and two-time team captain who competed twice at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Mass. In addition to running cross-country for two years in high school, Bacher rode horses since she was nine years old while working at Wellspring Farms, a therapeutic riding program geared toward children with disabilities
Balodemas, a 5-8, four-year standout at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, helped lead her Varsity Eights boat to win the gold at the 2012 Maryland State Championship and Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association Championship. Voted captain as a junior, she helped lead her crew during both her junior and senior campaigns to compete at the Head-of-the-Charles and reach the semi-finals of the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Championship.
As a freshman and sophomore, Balodemas stroked the Junior Varsity boat to two more golds at the Maryland Championships and to the semi-finals at Stotesbury. Also a two-year basketball player, Balodemas was a member of both the green club and foreign film club. She logged over 400 hours of community service, earning the Maryland Certificate of Meritorious Service, and served as a guidance assistant her senior year.
Cruz, a 5-6 graduate of Montclair High School, helped lead her crew to win the title at the Garden State Championships for three straight years. As a senior, Cruz rowed at the stroke seat on the Lightweight Eights, taking second place at Stotesbury Cup Regatta and at the SRAA Nationals. She also raced in the Head of The Charles during her junior and senior campaigns.
A member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Club, Cruz participated in community service at the New Jersey Peace Action and American Cancer Association's 'Relay for Life.'
Dunne, a 5-8 graduate of Merion Mercy Academy, spent most of her time in the Lightweight Eights but saw races in the Varsity Eights as well. Dunne competed in the grand finals at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRRA's) Nationals three of her four years. A recipient of the Varsity Athlete Award as a senior, she also served as a member of National Honor Society's volunteer program, Merion Mercy's tutor program, Community Service Corps, and devoted herself to volunteering on holidays for children with special needs.
Gallo, a 5-9 graduate of Cab Calloway School of the Arts, rowed as a member of the Wilmington Youth Rowing Association while studying dance and playing soccer in school. In her Novice year, Gallo sat stroke seat of the Novice Eight, and after moving up to Varsity she finished in the top half at Mainline Slide.
She was also a member of National Honor Society, worked at the Police Athletic League, and interned for three years at the Center for Creative Arts, earning the Jefferson Award for Community Service. She plans to major in psychology with intentions of continuing with medical school post-graduation
Taylor, a 5-7 graduate of St. Mark's High School, placed first in the Petite Final SRRA and third in the Philadelphia City Championship during her senior year. She also placed 16th out of 76 at the 2011 Head of the Charles Regatta and 8th of 83 at the 2010 Head of the Hooch Regatta.
In addition, Taylor served as a member of Z Club, an all-girls service organization, Key Club, and Law Club, and received an award for most hours volunteered. She intends to major in Biological Sciences at Delaware.
She also served as a member of Speak Up! In high school and tutored seventh grade math students. Tenenbaum intends to major in biology and minor in Spanish at the university, with hopes to one day pursue a degree in medicine.
Waskover, a 5-7 graduate at Schreiber High School, was a two-year member of the rowing team. In Schreiber High School's inaugural season in 2011, she raced in the Novice 4+, placing second at Long Island Championships and gold at New York State Scholastic Championships (NYSSC). During her senior year, Waskover was stroke of the Varsity Eights, placing second at the Long Island Championships and sixth at NYSSC.
Waskover was also a four-year Varsity swimmer, serving as captain during her senior year and setting the high school record for the 50m freestyle relay with her team. Just as active in the classroom, Waskover served as a member of National Honor Society along with the English, Science and Social Studies Honor Societies. She also served as a member of the Mock Trial and Key Club and taught swim lessons to children as a certified lifeguard.
Williams, a 5-3 coxswain, graduated from Saint Paul's School for Girls as a four-year member of the rowing team. She also coxed in the summer at Baltimore Rowing Club for the Masters team. As a senior, she coxed the Varsity 4+ to a first place finish at the Baltimore Scholastic Regatta and received the Most Valuable Player Award and the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Award for her efforts.
Williams was an active volunteer, dedicating much of her time at the Bykota Senior Center. In school, she also served as a peer educator and member of the Green Key Club, Cystic Fibrosis Club, Community Alliance Club, and Amnesty International Club.
Players Mentioned
