Rowing Garner 21 Recruits in First 2025-26 Signing Period
Dec 10, 2024 | Rowing
Seven women are in-state commits, with six from Nebraska and eight from the Midwest
K-State women's rowing head coach Patrick Sweeney announced on Tuesday (Dec. 10) the signing of 21 recruits for the 2025-26 season.
"We are excited to add another group of strong, competitive athletes to our team," Sweeney said. "[Assistant coaches] Kennedy and Lindsey have continued to do a great job of identifying, connecting with and building our team with athletes that will push our program forward.
"Our model is becoming less common in the world of collegiate rowing, taking out of sport athletes and building them up. This model works for us and it has helped us create a culture where our athletes can appreciate the value of hard work, balancing academics and athletics and they can continue to have a true college experience."
This commitment class includes seven women from the state of Kansas, six from Nebraska and the remaining eight all from the Midwest. The team maintains their emphasis on recruiting out-of-sport athletes from a variety of backgrounds.
"I'm excited for this incoming class to be a part of our team. This program has meant so much to so many young women over the years and I'm happy these girls have the opportunity to be a part of it," assistant coach Lindsey DeVreugd said. "This is a solid recruiting class with a lot of potential and I can't wait to see what they do here in the fall."
"We are so excited to add this incoming class to our team," assistant coach Kennedy Felice said. "Our program has built something special across the years and every athlete that has been a part of our team has helped shape who we are.
"This is a strong class, of competitive and athletic women, who are ready for this challenge. We're excited to see what they do with this opportunity and we cannot wait to start working with each of them."
Below is a brief description of each committed student-athlete in alphabetical order:
Brylan Allen-Webb is a four-sport athlete from Bethel Acres, Okla., at Bethel High School, competing in cross country, soccer, basketball and track. "I'm excited for the opportunity to challenge myself and having the support system of teammates and coaches who want you to succeed," Webb said. "It will be a challenge being in a new state and learning a new sport, but the opportunities to make new friends and grow as a person will be a huge benefit."
Madisyn Barncord is a three-sport athlete, in basketball, volleyball and track, at Olathe East High in Olathe, Kan. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because of the community and the challenge. I value hard work, and I feel I can fit in on this team," Barncord said. "Joining the team will allow me to be a part of an amazing community. I'm excited for the relationships that I will build."
Maddy Beermann is a volleyball player at Elkhorn South High School in Elkhorn, Neb. "Rowing will challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and try something brand new at a highly competitive level. Rowing will benefit me by allowing me to meet my goals of being a division one athlete and I get to be at a school I have always wanted to go to." Beermann said.
Alexis Brandkamp is a volleyball player at Hallsville High School in Columbia, Mo. "I am most excited for the teams of people at K-State who truly will do their best to see me succeed," Brandkamp said. "Joining the team is going to give me an immediate home on campus. I'm more than elated to be a RowCat."
Madison Bunger is a volleyball and basketball player and competes in track for Wilcox-Hildreth High School in Hildreth, Neb. "I decided to try K-State rowing because it is a new sport that I have never done before. Also, it seems like a fun, competitive environment to be a part of," Bunger said. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I will be the first person at my school to become one."
Avery Evertsen, from Clemons, Iowa, is a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track at West Marshall High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I'm always looking to try something new and I enjoy being involved in competitive sports," Evertsen said. "I'm excited to be a D1 Student Athlete because the experience is unmatched, and I gain another family being involved in this program."
Gabbie Forsythe competes in basketball and flag football at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. "I think the resources and people you gain by being an athlete at K-State is going to elevate and make my experience very personable." Forsythe said. She added that the rowing team, "seemed like a great program and way to get to know people at the school as well as continue my career as an athlete."
Anahera Friedrich is a three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, swimming and track at Strasburg High in Strasburg, Colo. "It is a very rare opportunity to compete at a D1 level and the students at K-State have a culture unlike any other school I visited," Friedrich said. "K-State rowing is nothing but a blessing and a best-case scenario for me and my family for my future."
Sarah Hendrickson, a volleyball, basketball and softball player from Wichita, Kan., competes at Campus High School. "I loved being active and playing sports in high school. I am excited to continue and be part of a team that is competing and representing K-State," Hendrickson said. She added, "I am excited to be a Wildcat and to attend K-State. I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the rowing team and to represent K-State as a student-athlete."
Madison Lemke is a dual sport athlete at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan., competing in basketball and soccer. "I decided to do rowing at K-State because I wanted to further my athletic and academic career at a great school where I felt at home," Lemke said. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I will get to inspire others to try something new and challenge themselves."
Hazel Lemon, from Stevensville, Mich., is a volleyball player and competes in track at Lakeshore High School. "I'm really excited to be a D1 student athlete because I enjoy challenging myself and it has also been a dream of mine to compete in college athletics," Lemon said. She added, "I absolutely love K-State and the people, but rowing will allow me to meet new people and have more opportunities."
Makenna Liming is a volleyball player from Springfield, Mo., at Glendale High School. "K-State rowing will challenge me by pushing me to be my best even when it's hard since rowing is completely new to me," Liming said. "K-State rowing will benefit me by giving me a community of girls and coaches that are there for me and genuinely care."
Ilena Norris is from Olathe, Kan., competing in basketball at Olathe Northwest High. "After seeing what I've seen and experienced from the rowing team at K-State, I realized it would be a great way to get up in the morning, with practice. They also have a great community," Norris said. She added that she is grateful to go to a school "with the major I'm excited for and I get to be a D1 athlete, it's a privilege."
BeauDee Nystrom is a basketball player and competes in track at McAlester High in McAlester, Okla. "I wanted to try something I've never done before and K-State seemed like a great place to do that," Nystrom said. "I think it will bring a lot of new friendships and having people around you that are doing similar things can help me stay motivated."
Riley Pletka is a three-sport athlete in volleyball, wrestling and soccer from Plattsmouth, Neb., for Plattsmouth High. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I've enjoyed being active and athletic my whole life and I've always known that I wanted to be a collegiate athlete," Pletka said. "This seemed like such an amazing opportunity to be a part of something great."
Lauren Schmidt competes in dance, volleyball and track at Omaha Mercy High School in Omaha, Neb. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because of the opportunities I am so fortunate to have been given. As a division 1 school, K-State provides the facilities and resources available to give each student athlete the advantage to flourish academically and athletically," Schmidt said. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because the team is an opportunity for me to compete at a high level with a team of like-minded people who care about working hard and having fun each day."
Cassandra Thompson is a three-sport athlete, competing in cross country, basketball and track at Beloit High in Beloit, Kan. "I think rowing will benefit my experience at K-State by allowing me to build friendships with people, teach me new skills, and I will have a more rewarding experience with classes because of the academic benefits," Thompson said. "I am excited to get stronger and grow as a person. I am also thrilled to build lasting bonds with my future teammates."
Ava Washington is on the volleyball and swim teams at Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney, Neb. "K-State rowing will challenge and benefit me next year by pushing me to work as hard as I can, as a student and an athlete. Joining the rowing team will add to my K-State experience by giving me a strong support system through my teammates and coaches," Washington said.
Alassandra Weakland is a soccer player at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan. "I decided to give rowing a chance to broaden my horizons. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something new," Weakland said. She added that joining the team "will definitely help me adjust to such a new atmosphere and the environment of college."
Nora Wehr competes in soccer and swimming at North Platte High School in North Platte, Neb. "Being on the rowing team will make me stronger physically and mentally. Being on a team is always beneficial. As an athlete it will be an honor to push myself at the D1 level," Wehr said. She is looking forward to the being able to, "gain a whole new community of friends I would have never met before, as well as learn something new."
Dani Westendorf is from Basehor, Kan., competing in basketball, volleyball, dance and track at Basehor-Linwood High School. "I'm excited to see where I can go with this opportunity and all the benefits from it. I loved the atmosphere at K-State, and the facilities were awesome," Westendorf said. "On my visit, I really saw how close the team was. It was like they all felt like each other's family."
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 X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
"We are excited to add another group of strong, competitive athletes to our team," Sweeney said. "[Assistant coaches] Kennedy and Lindsey have continued to do a great job of identifying, connecting with and building our team with athletes that will push our program forward.
"Our model is becoming less common in the world of collegiate rowing, taking out of sport athletes and building them up. This model works for us and it has helped us create a culture where our athletes can appreciate the value of hard work, balancing academics and athletics and they can continue to have a true college experience."
This commitment class includes seven women from the state of Kansas, six from Nebraska and the remaining eight all from the Midwest. The team maintains their emphasis on recruiting out-of-sport athletes from a variety of backgrounds.
"I'm excited for this incoming class to be a part of our team. This program has meant so much to so many young women over the years and I'm happy these girls have the opportunity to be a part of it," assistant coach Lindsey DeVreugd said. "This is a solid recruiting class with a lot of potential and I can't wait to see what they do here in the fall."
"We are so excited to add this incoming class to our team," assistant coach Kennedy Felice said. "Our program has built something special across the years and every athlete that has been a part of our team has helped shape who we are.
"This is a strong class, of competitive and athletic women, who are ready for this challenge. We're excited to see what they do with this opportunity and we cannot wait to start working with each of them."
Below is a brief description of each committed student-athlete in alphabetical order:
Brylan Allen-Webb is a four-sport athlete from Bethel Acres, Okla., at Bethel High School, competing in cross country, soccer, basketball and track. "I'm excited for the opportunity to challenge myself and having the support system of teammates and coaches who want you to succeed," Webb said. "It will be a challenge being in a new state and learning a new sport, but the opportunities to make new friends and grow as a person will be a huge benefit."
Madisyn Barncord is a three-sport athlete, in basketball, volleyball and track, at Olathe East High in Olathe, Kan. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because of the community and the challenge. I value hard work, and I feel I can fit in on this team," Barncord said. "Joining the team will allow me to be a part of an amazing community. I'm excited for the relationships that I will build."
Maddy Beermann is a volleyball player at Elkhorn South High School in Elkhorn, Neb. "Rowing will challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and try something brand new at a highly competitive level. Rowing will benefit me by allowing me to meet my goals of being a division one athlete and I get to be at a school I have always wanted to go to." Beermann said.
Alexis Brandkamp is a volleyball player at Hallsville High School in Columbia, Mo. "I am most excited for the teams of people at K-State who truly will do their best to see me succeed," Brandkamp said. "Joining the team is going to give me an immediate home on campus. I'm more than elated to be a RowCat."
Madison Bunger is a volleyball and basketball player and competes in track for Wilcox-Hildreth High School in Hildreth, Neb. "I decided to try K-State rowing because it is a new sport that I have never done before. Also, it seems like a fun, competitive environment to be a part of," Bunger said. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I will be the first person at my school to become one."
Avery Evertsen, from Clemons, Iowa, is a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track at West Marshall High School. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I'm always looking to try something new and I enjoy being involved in competitive sports," Evertsen said. "I'm excited to be a D1 Student Athlete because the experience is unmatched, and I gain another family being involved in this program."
Gabbie Forsythe competes in basketball and flag football at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. "I think the resources and people you gain by being an athlete at K-State is going to elevate and make my experience very personable." Forsythe said. She added that the rowing team, "seemed like a great program and way to get to know people at the school as well as continue my career as an athlete."
Anahera Friedrich is a three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, swimming and track at Strasburg High in Strasburg, Colo. "It is a very rare opportunity to compete at a D1 level and the students at K-State have a culture unlike any other school I visited," Friedrich said. "K-State rowing is nothing but a blessing and a best-case scenario for me and my family for my future."
Sarah Hendrickson, a volleyball, basketball and softball player from Wichita, Kan., competes at Campus High School. "I loved being active and playing sports in high school. I am excited to continue and be part of a team that is competing and representing K-State," Hendrickson said. She added, "I am excited to be a Wildcat and to attend K-State. I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the rowing team and to represent K-State as a student-athlete."
Madison Lemke is a dual sport athlete at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan., competing in basketball and soccer. "I decided to do rowing at K-State because I wanted to further my athletic and academic career at a great school where I felt at home," Lemke said. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because I will get to inspire others to try something new and challenge themselves."
Hazel Lemon, from Stevensville, Mich., is a volleyball player and competes in track at Lakeshore High School. "I'm really excited to be a D1 student athlete because I enjoy challenging myself and it has also been a dream of mine to compete in college athletics," Lemon said. She added, "I absolutely love K-State and the people, but rowing will allow me to meet new people and have more opportunities."
Makenna Liming is a volleyball player from Springfield, Mo., at Glendale High School. "K-State rowing will challenge me by pushing me to be my best even when it's hard since rowing is completely new to me," Liming said. "K-State rowing will benefit me by giving me a community of girls and coaches that are there for me and genuinely care."
Ilena Norris is from Olathe, Kan., competing in basketball at Olathe Northwest High. "After seeing what I've seen and experienced from the rowing team at K-State, I realized it would be a great way to get up in the morning, with practice. They also have a great community," Norris said. She added that she is grateful to go to a school "with the major I'm excited for and I get to be a D1 athlete, it's a privilege."
BeauDee Nystrom is a basketball player and competes in track at McAlester High in McAlester, Okla. "I wanted to try something I've never done before and K-State seemed like a great place to do that," Nystrom said. "I think it will bring a lot of new friendships and having people around you that are doing similar things can help me stay motivated."
Riley Pletka is a three-sport athlete in volleyball, wrestling and soccer from Plattsmouth, Neb., for Plattsmouth High. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because I've enjoyed being active and athletic my whole life and I've always known that I wanted to be a collegiate athlete," Pletka said. "This seemed like such an amazing opportunity to be a part of something great."
Lauren Schmidt competes in dance, volleyball and track at Omaha Mercy High School in Omaha, Neb. "I am excited to be a D1 student athlete because of the opportunities I am so fortunate to have been given. As a division 1 school, K-State provides the facilities and resources available to give each student athlete the advantage to flourish academically and athletically," Schmidt said. "I decided to try rowing at K-State because the team is an opportunity for me to compete at a high level with a team of like-minded people who care about working hard and having fun each day."
Cassandra Thompson is a three-sport athlete, competing in cross country, basketball and track at Beloit High in Beloit, Kan. "I think rowing will benefit my experience at K-State by allowing me to build friendships with people, teach me new skills, and I will have a more rewarding experience with classes because of the academic benefits," Thompson said. "I am excited to get stronger and grow as a person. I am also thrilled to build lasting bonds with my future teammates."
Ava Washington is on the volleyball and swim teams at Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney, Neb. "K-State rowing will challenge and benefit me next year by pushing me to work as hard as I can, as a student and an athlete. Joining the rowing team will add to my K-State experience by giving me a strong support system through my teammates and coaches," Washington said.
Alassandra Weakland is a soccer player at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan. "I decided to give rowing a chance to broaden my horizons. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something new," Weakland said. She added that joining the team "will definitely help me adjust to such a new atmosphere and the environment of college."
Nora Wehr competes in soccer and swimming at North Platte High School in North Platte, Neb. "Being on the rowing team will make me stronger physically and mentally. Being on a team is always beneficial. As an athlete it will be an honor to push myself at the D1 level," Wehr said. She is looking forward to the being able to, "gain a whole new community of friends I would have never met before, as well as learn something new."
Dani Westendorf is from Basehor, Kan., competing in basketball, volleyball, dance and track at Basehor-Linwood High School. "I'm excited to see where I can go with this opportunity and all the benefits from it. I loved the atmosphere at K-State, and the facilities were awesome," Westendorf said. "On my visit, I really saw how close the team was. It was like they all felt like each other's family."
-- k-statesports.com --
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 X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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