Kansas State Rowing Welcomes 13 to 2022 Recruitment Class

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State rowing team and head coach Patrick Sweeney announced the addition of 13 student-athletes to the 2022 recruiting class.

Earlier in the 2021 fall season, Sweeney and his team celebrated the first 15 commitments during the fall commitment period. This winter commitment group adds necessary depth and hustle to the incoming group of freshmen. The final announcement period will occur later in the spring.

"The addition of these commitments along with the commits from the fall has built a strong incoming class," stated Sweeney. "We are ready to see how these athletes will add to the depth our team has continued to build. This is an exciting time for our program."

The Wildcats continue to believe that competitive rowers can be built from athletes of all backgrounds. K-State Rowing has shown that athletes ready to embrace the challenge of a new sport can find success if they have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in maximum effort.

"I'm excited to see another group of eager competitors joining the team. Coach Kennedy Felice has joined this recruiting task force and her impact is already showing in this incoming group of commitments," said assistant coach Hanna Wiltfong. "These athletes and future coxswains will elevate the outcomes for this incoming class!"

The year-round recruitment process has allowed the team to continue adding competitive athletes to the incoming class. Currently, recruiting efforts are led by assistant coaches Hanna Wiltfong and Noelle Dykmann as well as graduate assistant coach Kennedy Felice.

"Seeing the incoming class grow in numbers, and athleticism is an exciting feeling! Kennedy (Felice) and Hanna (Wiltfong) have been working hard to ensure that we find top notch athletes who will find success in the sport and push our program forward," said assistant coach Noelle Dykmann. "We have focused on continuing to grow our recruiting efforts in a way that reaches new populations of high school athletes, and it is paying off."

The program has continued to make forward progress in every way. This success is built on the grit and drive that has continued to define the program.

"Every day, I am impressed by the dedication and passion we see in our current and future athletes. I am humbled by the people brave enough to say yes to this challenge," said graduate assistant coach Kennedy Felice. "The athletes we have added to the incoming class will absolutely push our program forward and we are excited to see the impact they will have."

The 13 recruits announced in this winter commitment period combined with the previous 15 fall commits make up the incoming class.

Below is a list of all 13 commits being added to the 2022 recruiting class:

Grace Godat, from Hermann, Missouri, comes to K-State after competing in volleyball, basketball, and track and field at Hermann High School. Gadot states, "Joining this team will cause me to always be ready for a challenge, which I believe will be necessary in college, but it will also allow me to meet new people and friends too, which will make my K-State experience more exciting and fun!"

Emma Haner, from Hannibal, Missouri, will join the K-State women's rowing team after graduating from Hannibal High School. Haner participated in tennis and basketball and said, "I decided to try rowing at K-State because it is a really good opportunity to try something new and also get to compete at a Division I level. I also liked the positive team atmosphere when I visited and got to see how they build a competitive yet cheerful team."

Brenna Johnson, coming from De Soto, Kansas, played softball at De Soto High School. Johnson explained, "I look forward to the challenge of competing at a high level with other dedicated athletes."

Katie Koelzer, from Saint Joseph, Missouri, comes to Manhattan after playing basketball at Lafayette High School. Koelzer says, "All the freshman starting at K-State have a fresh slate. I feel that being part of rowing puts me a step ahead from the academic benefits and being part of the team! It's up to me to make the most of this and constantly push myself in the sport and academically."
Kennedy Loyd, hailing from Lee's Summit, Missouri, will join K-State after running cross country and playing soccer at Lee's Summit North High School. Loyd explains, "I know being a coxswain can be mentally challenging so I will have to learn how to manage my stress well. But I know once I get the hang of things, I will enjoy the team atmosphere and all the new friendships."

Paige Margreiter, from Springfield, Missouri, played soccer at Glendale High School. Margreiter said this about coming to K-State, "I am excited to be a D1 Student Athlete because I will be surrounded by hard working people that are the best at what they do. I'm always up for a challenge and I want to contribute to the team's success in whatever way I can!"

Elly Murrell, from Garden City, Kansas, graduated from Garden City High School where she was a manager for girls' basketball and volleyball. Murrell joins K-State women's rowing after attending Garden City Community College. She stated, "I am excited to be able to try something new and I never ever thought in a million years that I would be a D1 athlete so it kind of feels like a dream."

Olivia Orth, coming from Wichita, Kansas, will join the team after competing in swimming, tennis, and powerlifting at Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Orth stated, "I am super competitive, both academically and athletically, and I am always striving to be the best that I can be. I am excited to meet other athletes and meet like-minded individuals. I know that being a D1 student-athlete isn't easy, but I am inspired by the challenge and am ready to take it on!"

Kiersten Playter, hailing from Independence, Missouri, played tennis while also being a member of swimming and track and field at William Chrisman High School. She said, "I am excited to be a D1 athlete because it is a way for me to continue to work hard and to try something new.
Leah Roane, hailing from Melissa, Texas, is a member of the track and field team at Heritage High School. Roane says, "I am excited to be a D1 Student Athlete because of the community it builds around me. I have always
believed that being a part of a team creates a sense of pride and leadership because it's about more than yourself."

Jillian Rockley, from Rose Hill, Kansas, competed in volleyball along with track and field at Rose Hill High School. Rockley indicated, "I have been set on K-State since last summer but was unsure how I would get involved. The opportunity of rowing has allowed me to imagine myself within a community of strong and driven women, who I know will push me to improve on many levels. This sense of community in itself will deeply benefit and add to my college experience at K-State."

Jordyn Tacha, from Limon, Colorado, comes to K-State after playing softball, volleyball and basketball while competing in track and field at Limon High School. Tacha explains, "I wanted to stay fit and participate on a team in college, and K-State rowing was the right fit for me."

Emma Wildman, coming from Abilene, Kansas, played both volleyball and softball at Abilene High School. She says this about coming to K-State, "It will give me an experience not everyone has. I am still able to continue life as a student athlete, but at a more competitive pace."

The Wildcats will head to Sacramento, California for their spring camp before ending the trip with the Hornet Invitational, a two-day event hosted by Sacramento State.

K-State Rowing 2022 Recruiting Class

Grace Gadot, Hermann, Missouri, Hermann High School
Emma Haner, Hannibal, Missouri, Hannibal High School
Brenna Johnson, De Soto, Kansas, De Soto High School
Katie Koelzer, Saint Joseph, Missouri, Lafayette High School
Kennedy Loyd, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Lee's Summit North High School
Paige Margreiter, Springfield, Missouri, Glendale High School
Elly Murrell, Garden City, Kansas, Garden City, Garden City Community College
Olivia Orth, Wichita, Kansas, Kapaun Mt. Carmel
Kiersten Playter, Independence, Missouri, William Chrisman High School
Leah Roane, Melissa, Texas, Heritage High School
Jillian Rockley, Rose Hill, Kansas, Rose Hill High School
Jordyn Tacha, Limon, Colorado, Limon High School
Emma Wildman, Abilene, Kansas, Abilene High School

For the latest on K-State Rowing, follow @kstatesports and @KStateROW on Twitter or on the team's Facebook page using the hashtag #KStateROW.

Kansas State University Athletics

Kansas State Rowing Welcomes 13 to 2022 Recruitment Class

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