Rowing Adds 14 More Commitments for 2023-24
Apr 11, 2023 | Rowing
30 women have now committed to K-State rowing for next season
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Rowing head coach Patrick Sweeney announced Tuesday (April 11) the commitments of 14 women to the 2023-24 roster.
"We are really looking forward to seeing this latest group of spring commits on our team. Each of these athletes will add to the strength and athleticism of our program," said Sweeney. "With the combination of our fall commitments, our spring commitments, as well as the athletes we will continue to commit into the summer, we are seeing a strong recruiting class come together that will continue to push our program forward."
This second signing period of the 2022-23 year adds 14 incoming freshmen from across the Midwest. The first signing period back in December 2022 saw the commitment from 16 women.
"This incoming class has a lot of athletic women with the potential to do really well on this team," said assistant coach Taylor Hartman. "I'm excited to see what they can do once we get them here in the fall."
"We are so excited to add this group of strong, competitive women to our program," said assistant coach Kennedy Felice. "There is so much potential in this group that will continue to strengthen this class and our team. We're looking forward to working with each of the athletes we have committed and will continue to commit once they all come to Manhattan this fall."
Jenessa Broxterman is from Topeka, Kan., attending Hayden High School, where she competes in volleyball and soccer. "Joining the rowing team will help me branch out and involve myself in student life," Broxterman said. "It also will provide me with a group of teammates and friends to join me in my journey through college."
Audri Byers is a swimmer from Wichita, Kan., attending Kapaun Mt. Carmel. "I truly love being an athlete. I have been one all throughout high school and I can't imagine myself not being one in college," Byers said. "Being a part of the rowing team will offer a great opportunity of girls while also giving me the opportunity to continue competing and training to represent K-State."
Olivia Cunningham is a three sport athlete from Stanton, Neb., where she competes in volleyball, basketball and track and field at Stanton High School. Olivia's sister, Sylvia, is a freshman on the rowing team. "I'm excited to be a D1 student athlete for the experience, the family, the environment and the opportunity to see new places and continue my athletic career," Cunningham said.
Emma Deghand attends Royal Valley High School in Mayetta, Kan., where she is a three sport athlete competing in volleyball, dance and track and field. Being a D1 athlete has "been a lifelong dream" for Deghand. She is excited to join the team because, "Rowing is something that I have never done before. I am very excited about the new experiences it'll give me," Deghand said.
Sophia Gove, from Aurora, Ill., plays volleyball for West Aurora High School. "Joining a new family will help me not only make more friends, but benefit my overall college life," Gove said. "Meeting new people and seeing more opportunities will expand my horizon and push me out of my comfort zone. I'm ready for a new chapter and challenge in my life."
Harmony Hockman competes in cross country and track and field at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kan. "I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember," Hockman said. "The rowing team is giving me the opportunity to continue my athleticism and join a team with likeminded goals and ambition. And be a wildcat, Go Cats!"
Madison Hoyt is from Platte City, Mo., where she attends Platte County High School as a volleyball and track and field athlete. "I think I will be most challenged by the rowing program since I'll be learning a completely new sport at such a competitive level," Hoyt said. "But I think I'll benefit by having a close-knit community to hold me accountable for my education and physical well-being."
Abby Huonder is a three-sport athlete from Erie High School in Erie, Co., where she competes in track and field, soccer and basketball. "I chose to try rowing at K-State because it looked like a great opportunity to keep competing athletically at a high level and I was excited to take on a new challenge," Huonder said.
Kelsey Johnson from Wellsville, Kan., attends Wellsville High School where she competes in tennis, golf, and basketball. "K-State rowing will be beneficial to me by providing me with a constant challenge of doing a sport that I have never done before," Johnson said. "I know I will benefit from rowing by learning more about myself and becoming a better athlete. Along with making more friendships and having something to keep me steady during college."
Sophie Landrum, from De Soto High School in Lenexa, Kan., competes in soccer and cross country. "I like the team atmosphere and wanted to stay on a hard working team in college," Landrum said.
Morgan Langfeldt, from Plymouth, Ind., attends Plymouth High School where she competes in tennis, swimming, and volleyball. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I think it shows people from my small hometown how many opportunities are out there if you choose to explore them," said Langfeldt. "I love the K-State campus and I am so excited to be there for the next four years."
Ailie McClellan is also from Wellsville, Kan., attending Wellsville High School where she is a three-sport athlete, competing in softball, basketball and volleyball. "Joining the K-State rowing team will allow me to become a part of something bigger than I ever have before, while experiencing it with an amazing and supportive community of people," McClellan said.
Hailey Vardiman's hometown is right here in Manhattan where she attends Manhattan High School and competes in rowing. "I've always dreamed of competing at the D1 level. I love to be pushed, challenged and learn from multiple people, especially with different experiences," Vardiman said. "I've always been a student athlete; the packed schedule has been a constant help keeping me on top of things. Being able to carry that into college will help me keep a balance between academics and athletics, which is very important to me. I'm also excited to be a part of a team of other women with the same drive as I do and to push each other to be better in all aspects of life."
Cameron Vaughn comes from rival territory in Lawrence, Kan., where she competes in volleyball and track and field at Free State High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I have always enjoyed being part of a team, as well as competitive sports," Vaughn said. "Joining the team will add to my K-State experience by surrounding me with people who share common drive and goals."
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 are really looking forward to seeing this latest group of spring commits on our team. Each of these athletes will add to the strength and athleticism of our program," said Sweeney. "With the combination of our fall commitments, our spring commitments, as well as the athletes we will continue to commit into the summer, we are seeing a strong recruiting class come together that will continue to push our program forward."
This second signing period of the 2022-23 year adds 14 incoming freshmen from across the Midwest. The first signing period back in December 2022 saw the commitment from 16 women.
"This incoming class has a lot of athletic women with the potential to do really well on this team," said assistant coach Taylor Hartman. "I'm excited to see what they can do once we get them here in the fall."
"We are so excited to add this group of strong, competitive women to our program," said assistant coach Kennedy Felice. "There is so much potential in this group that will continue to strengthen this class and our team. We're looking forward to working with each of the athletes we have committed and will continue to commit once they all come to Manhattan this fall."
Jenessa Broxterman is from Topeka, Kan., attending Hayden High School, where she competes in volleyball and soccer. "Joining the rowing team will help me branch out and involve myself in student life," Broxterman said. "It also will provide me with a group of teammates and friends to join me in my journey through college."
Audri Byers is a swimmer from Wichita, Kan., attending Kapaun Mt. Carmel. "I truly love being an athlete. I have been one all throughout high school and I can't imagine myself not being one in college," Byers said. "Being a part of the rowing team will offer a great opportunity of girls while also giving me the opportunity to continue competing and training to represent K-State."
Olivia Cunningham is a three sport athlete from Stanton, Neb., where she competes in volleyball, basketball and track and field at Stanton High School. Olivia's sister, Sylvia, is a freshman on the rowing team. "I'm excited to be a D1 student athlete for the experience, the family, the environment and the opportunity to see new places and continue my athletic career," Cunningham said.
Emma Deghand attends Royal Valley High School in Mayetta, Kan., where she is a three sport athlete competing in volleyball, dance and track and field. Being a D1 athlete has "been a lifelong dream" for Deghand. She is excited to join the team because, "Rowing is something that I have never done before. I am very excited about the new experiences it'll give me," Deghand said.
Sophia Gove, from Aurora, Ill., plays volleyball for West Aurora High School. "Joining a new family will help me not only make more friends, but benefit my overall college life," Gove said. "Meeting new people and seeing more opportunities will expand my horizon and push me out of my comfort zone. I'm ready for a new chapter and challenge in my life."
Harmony Hockman competes in cross country and track and field at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kan. "I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember," Hockman said. "The rowing team is giving me the opportunity to continue my athleticism and join a team with likeminded goals and ambition. And be a wildcat, Go Cats!"
Madison Hoyt is from Platte City, Mo., where she attends Platte County High School as a volleyball and track and field athlete. "I think I will be most challenged by the rowing program since I'll be learning a completely new sport at such a competitive level," Hoyt said. "But I think I'll benefit by having a close-knit community to hold me accountable for my education and physical well-being."
Abby Huonder is a three-sport athlete from Erie High School in Erie, Co., where she competes in track and field, soccer and basketball. "I chose to try rowing at K-State because it looked like a great opportunity to keep competing athletically at a high level and I was excited to take on a new challenge," Huonder said.
Kelsey Johnson from Wellsville, Kan., attends Wellsville High School where she competes in tennis, golf, and basketball. "K-State rowing will be beneficial to me by providing me with a constant challenge of doing a sport that I have never done before," Johnson said. "I know I will benefit from rowing by learning more about myself and becoming a better athlete. Along with making more friendships and having something to keep me steady during college."
Sophie Landrum, from De Soto High School in Lenexa, Kan., competes in soccer and cross country. "I like the team atmosphere and wanted to stay on a hard working team in college," Landrum said.
Morgan Langfeldt, from Plymouth, Ind., attends Plymouth High School where she competes in tennis, swimming, and volleyball. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I think it shows people from my small hometown how many opportunities are out there if you choose to explore them," said Langfeldt. "I love the K-State campus and I am so excited to be there for the next four years."
Ailie McClellan is also from Wellsville, Kan., attending Wellsville High School where she is a three-sport athlete, competing in softball, basketball and volleyball. "Joining the K-State rowing team will allow me to become a part of something bigger than I ever have before, while experiencing it with an amazing and supportive community of people," McClellan said.
Hailey Vardiman's hometown is right here in Manhattan where she attends Manhattan High School and competes in rowing. "I've always dreamed of competing at the D1 level. I love to be pushed, challenged and learn from multiple people, especially with different experiences," Vardiman said. "I've always been a student athlete; the packed schedule has been a constant help keeping me on top of things. Being able to carry that into college will help me keep a balance between academics and athletics, which is very important to me. I'm also excited to be a part of a team of other women with the same drive as I do and to push each other to be better in all aspects of life."
Cameron Vaughn comes from rival territory in Lawrence, Kan., where she competes in volleyball and track and field at Free State High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I have always enjoyed being part of a team, as well as competitive sports," Vaughn said. "Joining the team will add to my K-State experience by surrounding me with people who share common drive and goals."
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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