Kansas State University Athletics
Rowing Announces 16 Additions to 2020-21 Roster
Dec 17, 2019 | Rowing
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head women's rowing coach Patrick Sweeney announced the addition of 16 rowers to the Fall 2020 roster on Tuesday (December 17).
"I would like to thank H (assistant coach Hanna Wiltfong) and (assistant coach) Noelle (Dykmann) on yet another successful fall recruiting season," said Head Coach Patrick Sweeney. "Each class is the product of multiple years' work. Together, our coaches and our athletes have worked to help recruits see what this program is about. Identifying raw athleticism and true grit is no easy task. Going a step further and truly building relationships with athletes is what makes K-State a Family. Rowing is a relentless unforgiving sport and our program seeks those who aspire to learn something new and build themselves into Division I athletes. We believe this early commitment group is just the beginning of what will be an impressive Fall 2020 incoming class."
K-State Rowing is unique and is one of the few programs that builds rowers and coxswains from non-rowing backgrounds.
"We start from scratch with each freshmen class," said assistant coach Hanna Wiltfong. "It's hard work to find these women and it is even harder work to become a member of this team. But so long as we continue to find athletes like these, we will have what we need to keep this team homegrown and competitive."
Because rowing is a new sport for most of these commits, each athlete takes on a new athletic challenge.
"Recruiting this way is exciting and fun," said assistant coach Noelle Dykmann. "Every athlete we invite to join this team has the opportunity to redefine their athleticism."
K-State rowing will see constant growth in each athlete every single semester.
"Athletes who get fired up about an intense new challenge are the ones that belong here," elaborated Wiltfong. "We want the athletes who are brave enough to get out of their comfort zone."
Below is a list of all 16 commits of the 2019 Fall recruiting class:
Catie Beam comes to K-State from Silver Lake, Kansas. While at Silver Lake High School, Beam played golf, basketball and track and field. Beam is active in National Honor Society, Student Council and Select Choir. Beam says, "I chose rowing because I fell in love with the team aspect and I never back down from a challenge."
Jaci Brinker comes to K-State from Valley Falls, Kansas. While at Valley Falls High School, Brinker played volleyball and participated in National Honor Society. Brinker says she chose K-State because "K-State feels like family to me."
Anita Eckhardt, an Olathe, Kansas native, comes to K-State after competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer at Maranatha Christian Academy. Eckhardt chose the Wildcats because "rowing will be a good way to have a community and team atmosphere." Eckhardt also was involved with National Honor Society and the Scholar Bowl team in high school.
Jordan Girkin comes to K-State from Lee's Summit, Missouri. In her senior year at Lee's Summit High School, Girkin played volleyball, basketball and track. She is active in National Honor Society and says she chose K-State Rowing because "on my visits with rowing, I could see myself growing in the aspects of the sport, but also at the school."
Kendra Hamman from Wamego, Kansas, says she chose K-State Rowing because "(she is) competitive, enjoys being challenged and during (her) visits, (she) noticed the athletes and the coaches were very positively motivating." Hamman also said, "I want to be a part of that type of team." Hamman plays volleyball, basketball and softball at Wamego High School where she also is active in National Honor Society, 4-H, FBLA and Peer Chamber.
Rachel Harman, from Inman, Kansas says she chose K-State rowing because she "feels like it will push (her) both physically and mentally and will enhance (her) college experience." At Inman High School, Harman competes in volleyball, basketball and softball. She is active in FCA, FFA, Student Council and 4-H.
Haylee Hennick, a Sharon Springs, Kansas native, plays volleyball, basketball and track at Wallace County High School. She is active in 4-H and says she chose K-State rowing for "the opportunity to challenge (herself), try something new and meet new people."
Taylor Jernigan joins the Wildcats from Kingman, Kansas. While at Kingman High School, Jernigan competed in both volleyball and cheer. Jernigan says, "I am always open to a challenge so the opportunity to try a difficult skill sport like rowing sounds like something right up (her) alley!" She participates in FBLA and Student Council.
Madison Koller from Overland Park, Kansas comes to K-State from Shawnee Mission North High School. Koller competes in basketball and swimming while also staying involved in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council and FCA. Koller says, "I chose to row because it will allow me to compete at the college level and push myself beyond anything I've done before."
Alyssa Lakin comes to K-State from Independence, Missouri where she is competitive in volleyball, swimming and soccer at St. Michael the Archangel High School. In addition to her sports, Lakin is active in Green Team, Peer Mentoring and Bleacher Bums. Lakin says, "I am choosing to take on this challenge so I can grow mentally and physically stronger."
Ries Laster, a Shawnee, Kansas native, says she has "always dreamed of being a student at this university and it has always felt like home to (her)." At Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Laster is heavily involved in National Honor Society, Student Leadership (STUCO), Young Life, DECA, Cadet Teaching, Special Olympics and Wyldlife.
Ella Roberts comes to K-State from Dighton, Kansas where she plays volleyball, basketball and track at Dighton High School. Roberts is active in National Honor Society and 4-H and says, she "will be a fifth generation Wildcat and (has) always dreamed of being a student-athlete at K-State. (She is) excited to push (herself) to limits (she) never knew were possible."
Lauren Rudy from Wichita, Kansas chose K-State rowing because she has "played sports (her) whole life and (she) wants to continue to work hard and have a sense of unity." While at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Rudy has competed in golf, basketball and soccer while also staying active with Lords Diner and volunteering at various sports camps.
Anna Ryan comes to K-State from Lee's Summit, Missouri where she is competitive in both swimming and track at Blue Springs South High School. Ryan has chosen K-State Rowing because she says she "love(s) the team atmosphere and (she) thinks (rowing) is a great opportunity to try something new at a high level." At Blue Springs South, Ryan is involved in DECA, FBLA, Student Senate and Modern Language Club.
Elana Schmelzle joins the K-State Rowing team from Valley Center, Kansas. While at Valley Center High School, Schmelzle did golf and participated in FCA, Friendship Club, Letter Woman's Club, Science Club, Youth Group and S.A.L.T. Schmelzle says, "I chose to take on the challenge of rowing in college because it is a great opportunity to challenge myself physically and meet new people."
Sadie Watkins, an Olathe, Kansas native, comes to K-State from Gardner Edgerton High School. Watkins says, "I decided to take on the challenge of rowing because I love to learn new things and I want to see how far I can push myself." Watkins is competitive in basketball and track and stays involved with National Honor Society and Link Crew.
The Wildcats kick off their Spring 2020 competition schedule at the OU Scrimmage on Saturday, February 29 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is the 11th straight year K-State will compete in Oklahoma City, dating back to the 2010 Big 12 Championship.
K-State Rowing 2019-20 Early Commitment Group
Catie Beam, Silver Lake, Kansas, Silver Lake High School
Jaci Brinker, Valley Falls, Kansas, Valley Falls High School
Anita Eckhardt, Olathe, Kansas, Maranatha Christian Academy
Jordan Girkin, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Lee's Summit High School
Kendra Hamman, Wamego, Kansas, Wamego High School
Rachel Harman, Inman, Kansas, Inman High School
Haylee Hennick, Sharon Springs, Kansas, Wallace County High School
Taylor Jernigan, Kingman, Kansas, Kingman High School
Madison Koller, Overland Park, Kansas, Shawnee Mission North High School
Alyssa Lakin, Independence, Missouri, St. Michael the Archangel High School
Ries Laster, Shawnee, Kansas, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Ella Roberts, Dighton, Kansas, Dighton High School
Lauren Rudy, Wichita, Kansas, Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School
Anna Ryan, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Blue Springs South High School
Elana Schemelzle, Valley Center, Kansas, Valley Center High School
Sadie Watkins, Olathe, Kansas, Gardner Edgerton High School
For the latest on K-State Rowing, follow @kstatesports and @KStateROW on Twitter or on the team's Facebook page.
"I would like to thank H (assistant coach Hanna Wiltfong) and (assistant coach) Noelle (Dykmann) on yet another successful fall recruiting season," said Head Coach Patrick Sweeney. "Each class is the product of multiple years' work. Together, our coaches and our athletes have worked to help recruits see what this program is about. Identifying raw athleticism and true grit is no easy task. Going a step further and truly building relationships with athletes is what makes K-State a Family. Rowing is a relentless unforgiving sport and our program seeks those who aspire to learn something new and build themselves into Division I athletes. We believe this early commitment group is just the beginning of what will be an impressive Fall 2020 incoming class."
K-State Rowing is unique and is one of the few programs that builds rowers and coxswains from non-rowing backgrounds.
"We start from scratch with each freshmen class," said assistant coach Hanna Wiltfong. "It's hard work to find these women and it is even harder work to become a member of this team. But so long as we continue to find athletes like these, we will have what we need to keep this team homegrown and competitive."
Because rowing is a new sport for most of these commits, each athlete takes on a new athletic challenge.
"Recruiting this way is exciting and fun," said assistant coach Noelle Dykmann. "Every athlete we invite to join this team has the opportunity to redefine their athleticism."
K-State rowing will see constant growth in each athlete every single semester.
"Athletes who get fired up about an intense new challenge are the ones that belong here," elaborated Wiltfong. "We want the athletes who are brave enough to get out of their comfort zone."
Below is a list of all 16 commits of the 2019 Fall recruiting class:
Catie Beam comes to K-State from Silver Lake, Kansas. While at Silver Lake High School, Beam played golf, basketball and track and field. Beam is active in National Honor Society, Student Council and Select Choir. Beam says, "I chose rowing because I fell in love with the team aspect and I never back down from a challenge."
Jaci Brinker comes to K-State from Valley Falls, Kansas. While at Valley Falls High School, Brinker played volleyball and participated in National Honor Society. Brinker says she chose K-State because "K-State feels like family to me."
Anita Eckhardt, an Olathe, Kansas native, comes to K-State after competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer at Maranatha Christian Academy. Eckhardt chose the Wildcats because "rowing will be a good way to have a community and team atmosphere." Eckhardt also was involved with National Honor Society and the Scholar Bowl team in high school.
Jordan Girkin comes to K-State from Lee's Summit, Missouri. In her senior year at Lee's Summit High School, Girkin played volleyball, basketball and track. She is active in National Honor Society and says she chose K-State Rowing because "on my visits with rowing, I could see myself growing in the aspects of the sport, but also at the school."
Kendra Hamman from Wamego, Kansas, says she chose K-State Rowing because "(she is) competitive, enjoys being challenged and during (her) visits, (she) noticed the athletes and the coaches were very positively motivating." Hamman also said, "I want to be a part of that type of team." Hamman plays volleyball, basketball and softball at Wamego High School where she also is active in National Honor Society, 4-H, FBLA and Peer Chamber.
Rachel Harman, from Inman, Kansas says she chose K-State rowing because she "feels like it will push (her) both physically and mentally and will enhance (her) college experience." At Inman High School, Harman competes in volleyball, basketball and softball. She is active in FCA, FFA, Student Council and 4-H.
Haylee Hennick, a Sharon Springs, Kansas native, plays volleyball, basketball and track at Wallace County High School. She is active in 4-H and says she chose K-State rowing for "the opportunity to challenge (herself), try something new and meet new people."
Taylor Jernigan joins the Wildcats from Kingman, Kansas. While at Kingman High School, Jernigan competed in both volleyball and cheer. Jernigan says, "I am always open to a challenge so the opportunity to try a difficult skill sport like rowing sounds like something right up (her) alley!" She participates in FBLA and Student Council.
Madison Koller from Overland Park, Kansas comes to K-State from Shawnee Mission North High School. Koller competes in basketball and swimming while also staying involved in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council and FCA. Koller says, "I chose to row because it will allow me to compete at the college level and push myself beyond anything I've done before."
Alyssa Lakin comes to K-State from Independence, Missouri where she is competitive in volleyball, swimming and soccer at St. Michael the Archangel High School. In addition to her sports, Lakin is active in Green Team, Peer Mentoring and Bleacher Bums. Lakin says, "I am choosing to take on this challenge so I can grow mentally and physically stronger."
Ries Laster, a Shawnee, Kansas native, says she has "always dreamed of being a student at this university and it has always felt like home to (her)." At Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Laster is heavily involved in National Honor Society, Student Leadership (STUCO), Young Life, DECA, Cadet Teaching, Special Olympics and Wyldlife.
Ella Roberts comes to K-State from Dighton, Kansas where she plays volleyball, basketball and track at Dighton High School. Roberts is active in National Honor Society and 4-H and says, she "will be a fifth generation Wildcat and (has) always dreamed of being a student-athlete at K-State. (She is) excited to push (herself) to limits (she) never knew were possible."
Lauren Rudy from Wichita, Kansas chose K-State rowing because she has "played sports (her) whole life and (she) wants to continue to work hard and have a sense of unity." While at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Rudy has competed in golf, basketball and soccer while also staying active with Lords Diner and volunteering at various sports camps.
Anna Ryan comes to K-State from Lee's Summit, Missouri where she is competitive in both swimming and track at Blue Springs South High School. Ryan has chosen K-State Rowing because she says she "love(s) the team atmosphere and (she) thinks (rowing) is a great opportunity to try something new at a high level." At Blue Springs South, Ryan is involved in DECA, FBLA, Student Senate and Modern Language Club.
Elana Schmelzle joins the K-State Rowing team from Valley Center, Kansas. While at Valley Center High School, Schmelzle did golf and participated in FCA, Friendship Club, Letter Woman's Club, Science Club, Youth Group and S.A.L.T. Schmelzle says, "I chose to take on the challenge of rowing in college because it is a great opportunity to challenge myself physically and meet new people."
Sadie Watkins, an Olathe, Kansas native, comes to K-State from Gardner Edgerton High School. Watkins says, "I decided to take on the challenge of rowing because I love to learn new things and I want to see how far I can push myself." Watkins is competitive in basketball and track and stays involved with National Honor Society and Link Crew.
The Wildcats kick off their Spring 2020 competition schedule at the OU Scrimmage on Saturday, February 29 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is the 11th straight year K-State will compete in Oklahoma City, dating back to the 2010 Big 12 Championship.
K-State Rowing 2019-20 Early Commitment Group
Catie Beam, Silver Lake, Kansas, Silver Lake High School
Jaci Brinker, Valley Falls, Kansas, Valley Falls High School
Anita Eckhardt, Olathe, Kansas, Maranatha Christian Academy
Jordan Girkin, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Lee's Summit High School
Kendra Hamman, Wamego, Kansas, Wamego High School
Rachel Harman, Inman, Kansas, Inman High School
Haylee Hennick, Sharon Springs, Kansas, Wallace County High School
Taylor Jernigan, Kingman, Kansas, Kingman High School
Madison Koller, Overland Park, Kansas, Shawnee Mission North High School
Alyssa Lakin, Independence, Missouri, St. Michael the Archangel High School
Ries Laster, Shawnee, Kansas, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Ella Roberts, Dighton, Kansas, Dighton High School
Lauren Rudy, Wichita, Kansas, Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School
Anna Ryan, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Blue Springs South High School
Elana Schemelzle, Valley Center, Kansas, Valley Center High School
Sadie Watkins, Olathe, Kansas, Gardner Edgerton High School
For the latest on K-State Rowing, follow @kstatesports and @KStateROW on Twitter or on the team's Facebook page.
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