Rowing Garners Commits from 16 Athletes for 2023-24
Dec 19, 2022 | Rowing
All women come from the Midwest region
Rowing head coach Patrick Sweeney announced Monday (Dec. 19) the commitments from 16 women to the 2023-24 roster.
"We're looking forward to the incoming class," Sweeney said. "Kennedy and Taylor have done a good job coming onto our staff and continuing to push the program forward. We know that our model works, finding competitive high school athletes and building them up. We're excited to see the impact these athletes will have on our program."
This first signing period of 2023 includes 16 incoming freshmen from across the Midwest.
"We are so excited to add this class to our team," Assistant coach Kennedy Felice said. "The incoming class has strong, competitive athletes, who are ready to say yes to this challenge. Our program is built off hard work and grit, and we cannot wait to see how this commitment class continues that legacy."
"I've enjoyed recruiting and getting to know the incoming class," Assistant coach Taylor Hartman said. "I'm excited to see their potential when they get here in the fall!"
Natalee Bazil is from Goddard, Kan., attending Goddard High School where she competes in basketball. "I am excited to be a D1 athlete because I never thought I would get the opportunity to even be an athlete in college," Bazil said. "It also makes my dad really happy, and I love seeing him proud of me."
Christena Berry is a multi-sport athlete from Nixa High School in Nixa, Mo. Berry competes in beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and track and field. "Being on the rowing team will allow me to meet new people who have the same competitive spirit as me, which I am excited for!" Berry said. "I have already met some of the current rowers; they were so nice and encouraging and a part of the reason I was so quick to commit to this amazing program!"
Macy Bush is a swimmer from Olathe, Kan., where she attends Olathe South High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to continue my athletic career while also trying new things," Bush said. "I knew K-State was the place for me and I'm excited for the new challenges that come with rowing."
Kate Carney attends Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia, Mo. Carney is a multi-sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field. "I am excited to be in such a supportive environment as a D1 student athlete and to get to experience what it's like to compete at such a high level," Carney said.
Katelyn Colwell is from Overland Park, Kan. where she attends Shawnee Mission South High School, competing in softball and track and field. "I wanted to challenge myself in a new competitive sport," Colwell said. "I've always loved K-State, and this is just such a great opportunity."
Aubree Hoffman is a local of Manhattan attending Manhattan High School. She competes in volleyball and track and field. "I decided to try rowing with K-State because I love the opportunity for a new adventure and just really putting myself out there," Hoffman said. "This is a great environment to develop athletically, socially and personally with all the support to continue achieving my academic goals for the future."
Sophia Hunt is a basketball player from Leawood, Kan. at Shawnee Mission East High School. "Rowing seems like a great opportunity and a way to have a routine heading into college," Hunt said. She is also excited to have "something to belong to and making new friends along the way."
Yolaine Luthi is from Lamont, Kan. attending Madison High School where she competes in volleyball and basketball. "After my official visit, K-State was just the perfect match for me," Luthi said. "It fit my standards super well! Rowing was an awesome opportunity that I knew not very many people got, and to be a part of something completely different was a motive for me. K-State Rowing gave me a chance to still show the world how skilled and talented I am."
Madelyn Navrkal attends Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb., competing in basketball and volleyball. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I really loved the school and thought it would be a great opportunity to continue my athletic career and be a part of a team in college," Navrkal said.
Emily Northcutt is a rower from Dardenne Prairie, Mo. where she attends Liberty High School. "I decided to row at K-State because of the coaching staff," Northcutt said. "They truly made me feel special and like they wanted me on their team!"
Bryn Pawlik is a multi-sport athlete from St. Peters, Mo. and Fort Zumwalt South High School where she competes in basketball, cross country and track and field. "I think joining the team will add to my experience at K-State because it will give me something to look forward to every day, and an amazing group of new friends," Pawlik said.
Kila Respress attends Eisenhower High School in Wichita, Kan., where she competes in track and field and volleyball. "I think joining the team will give me the team atmosphere I am very used to," said Respress. "I think it will also give me great friendships and people to support me along the way."
Haylie Sanders is a volleyball player from Wichita, Kan. at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School. When describing this opportunity, Sanders said, "It will challenge me because training to be a rower is something I have never experienced before. It will benefit me because it will help me become a more dynamic athlete."
Caitlyn Smith is also from Wichita, Kan. where she competes in volleyball at Haysville Campus High School. "I loved the team atmosphere and coaching staff," Smith said. "Manhattan felt like home and is filled with many great opportunities."
Bailey Williamson attends Highlands Ranch High School in Littleton, Co., competing in basketball, track and field and cross country. "It will challenge me not only physically, but mentally," Williamson said. "I will be pushed to my limits, and I want to challenge what I think is possible." The team will allow her, "to be around successful, strong women that will push me to succeed."
Riese Witty is from Leon, Kan. attending Bluestem Jr/Sr High School and competes in volleyball, basketball, and softball. "I believe joining the team will help me to 'find my place' at K-State much easier," Witty said. "By joining this group of girls, I will already have so many more connections than I would if I came to K-State not knowing anyone. I believe it will make K-State feel more like a home, rather than a new, unfamiliar place."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Rowing Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"We're looking forward to the incoming class," Sweeney said. "Kennedy and Taylor have done a good job coming onto our staff and continuing to push the program forward. We know that our model works, finding competitive high school athletes and building them up. We're excited to see the impact these athletes will have on our program."
This first signing period of 2023 includes 16 incoming freshmen from across the Midwest.
"We are so excited to add this class to our team," Assistant coach Kennedy Felice said. "The incoming class has strong, competitive athletes, who are ready to say yes to this challenge. Our program is built off hard work and grit, and we cannot wait to see how this commitment class continues that legacy."
"I've enjoyed recruiting and getting to know the incoming class," Assistant coach Taylor Hartman said. "I'm excited to see their potential when they get here in the fall!"
Natalee Bazil is from Goddard, Kan., attending Goddard High School where she competes in basketball. "I am excited to be a D1 athlete because I never thought I would get the opportunity to even be an athlete in college," Bazil said. "It also makes my dad really happy, and I love seeing him proud of me."
Christena Berry is a multi-sport athlete from Nixa High School in Nixa, Mo. Berry competes in beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and track and field. "Being on the rowing team will allow me to meet new people who have the same competitive spirit as me, which I am excited for!" Berry said. "I have already met some of the current rowers; they were so nice and encouraging and a part of the reason I was so quick to commit to this amazing program!"
Macy Bush is a swimmer from Olathe, Kan., where she attends Olathe South High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to continue my athletic career while also trying new things," Bush said. "I knew K-State was the place for me and I'm excited for the new challenges that come with rowing."
Kate Carney attends Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia, Mo. Carney is a multi-sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field. "I am excited to be in such a supportive environment as a D1 student athlete and to get to experience what it's like to compete at such a high level," Carney said.
Katelyn Colwell is from Overland Park, Kan. where she attends Shawnee Mission South High School, competing in softball and track and field. "I wanted to challenge myself in a new competitive sport," Colwell said. "I've always loved K-State, and this is just such a great opportunity."
Aubree Hoffman is a local of Manhattan attending Manhattan High School. She competes in volleyball and track and field. "I decided to try rowing with K-State because I love the opportunity for a new adventure and just really putting myself out there," Hoffman said. "This is a great environment to develop athletically, socially and personally with all the support to continue achieving my academic goals for the future."
Sophia Hunt is a basketball player from Leawood, Kan. at Shawnee Mission East High School. "Rowing seems like a great opportunity and a way to have a routine heading into college," Hunt said. She is also excited to have "something to belong to and making new friends along the way."
Yolaine Luthi is from Lamont, Kan. attending Madison High School where she competes in volleyball and basketball. "After my official visit, K-State was just the perfect match for me," Luthi said. "It fit my standards super well! Rowing was an awesome opportunity that I knew not very many people got, and to be a part of something completely different was a motive for me. K-State Rowing gave me a chance to still show the world how skilled and talented I am."
Madelyn Navrkal attends Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb., competing in basketball and volleyball. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I really loved the school and thought it would be a great opportunity to continue my athletic career and be a part of a team in college," Navrkal said.
Emily Northcutt is a rower from Dardenne Prairie, Mo. where she attends Liberty High School. "I decided to row at K-State because of the coaching staff," Northcutt said. "They truly made me feel special and like they wanted me on their team!"
Bryn Pawlik is a multi-sport athlete from St. Peters, Mo. and Fort Zumwalt South High School where she competes in basketball, cross country and track and field. "I think joining the team will add to my experience at K-State because it will give me something to look forward to every day, and an amazing group of new friends," Pawlik said.
Kila Respress attends Eisenhower High School in Wichita, Kan., where she competes in track and field and volleyball. "I think joining the team will give me the team atmosphere I am very used to," said Respress. "I think it will also give me great friendships and people to support me along the way."
Haylie Sanders is a volleyball player from Wichita, Kan. at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School. When describing this opportunity, Sanders said, "It will challenge me because training to be a rower is something I have never experienced before. It will benefit me because it will help me become a more dynamic athlete."
Caitlyn Smith is also from Wichita, Kan. where she competes in volleyball at Haysville Campus High School. "I loved the team atmosphere and coaching staff," Smith said. "Manhattan felt like home and is filled with many great opportunities."
Bailey Williamson attends Highlands Ranch High School in Littleton, Co., competing in basketball, track and field and cross country. "It will challenge me not only physically, but mentally," Williamson said. "I will be pushed to my limits, and I want to challenge what I think is possible." The team will allow her, "to be around successful, strong women that will push me to succeed."
Riese Witty is from Leon, Kan. attending Bluestem Jr/Sr High School and competes in volleyball, basketball, and softball. "I believe joining the team will help me to 'find my place' at K-State much easier," Witty said. "By joining this group of girls, I will already have so many more connections than I would if I came to K-State not knowing anyone. I believe it will make K-State feel more like a home, rather than a new, unfamiliar place."
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Rowing Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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