Wisconsin lightweights sign 12 for 2018-19 school year
March 16, 2018 | Lightweight Rowing
Newcomers will look to build on the Badgers’ lightweight legacy
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's lightweight rowing program, led by Dusty Mattison, is pleased to announce that 12 future student-athletes have signed acceptance of admissions and plan to join the Badgers for the fall of 2018.
The 12 student-athletes include Kellie Ackerman (Mahomet, Illinois), Mackenzie Cote (Wilton, Connecticut), Elizabeth Demers (Rocky River, Ohio), Grace Hetzel (Weddington, North Carolina),
Kellie Ackerman, Mahomet, Ill. (Mahomet-Seymour High School)
Athletics highlights: Dancer for the Mahoment-Seymour High School dance team. Attended summer rowing camps.
"To me, being a D1 rower means being surrounded by like-minded athletes who are as devoted and driven to succeed as I am," Ackerman stated. "It also means that I have the opportunity to represent my university in a competitive environment."
Mackenzie Cote, Wilton, Conn. (Maritime Rowing Club/Wilton High School)
Athletics highlights: Spent 14 years competing in horseback riding. Also played seven years of lacrosse, four years of ski racing and four years of cross country.
"Being able to call myself a Badger is something that I once thought to be far-off, but a tireless aspiration," Cote said. "Now that this dream of mine has become a reality, I can say that I am most excited to work with this group of girls who I know has just as much drive, passion and grit that I do."
Liz Demers, Rocky River, Ohio (Cleveland Foundry Juniors/Rocky River High School)Â Â Â Â Â
Athletics highlights: 2017 Head of the Cuyahoga bronze medalist in the women's eight. Also won gold medals in the women's four at the 2017 Hoover Columbus Fall Classic and the 2017 Head of the Ohio
"While researching colleges, I found out that Wisconsin has a lot to offer me, both academically and athletically," Demers said. "Its world-renowned engineering department and accomplished rowing program are two things that are hard to come by. Once I visited the school, I knew that I wanted Wisconsin to be the place that I would spend the next four years of my life."
Grace Hetzel, Weddington, N.C. (Charlotte Youth Rowing/Homeschooled)
Athletic highlights: North Carolina champion in the women's junior single sculls. Also won the same title in Maine. Was a multiple-time, top-five finisher at USA Cycling National Track Championships
"Wisconsin has such a strong identity and an awesome culture and I am really excited to be a part of it," Hetzel said. "I'm also pumped to see snow more than once a year and to eat Babcock ice cream!"
Lindsey Jiron, Vienna, Va. (Resilient Rowing Club/James Madison High School)
Athletics highlights: Took sixth place with the varsity eight at the 2017 Stotesbury Cup, while finishing in 10th at the 2017 SRAA Nationals. Also won a silver medal in the varsity eight at the 2017 Virginia State Championship. Also at the 2016 and 2017 Mid-Atlantic Erg Springs, placed fifth in the lightweight 20-minute row.
"I could tell during my first visit to campus that it was the perfect place for me," Jiron said. "Wisconsin has great academic opportunities, amazing facilities, and inspiring team spirit."
Tanisha Khurana, Harrington, N.J. (Advanced Community Rowing Association/Northern Valley Regional High School)
Athletics highlights: Won 2017 USRowing Club Nationals in lightweight double sculls
"Being a Division I rower means everything to me," Khurana said. "It shows that all the hard work I've put in over the past years have counted."
Sophia Krivoruchko, Mill Valley, Calif. (Marin Rowing Association/Tamalpais High School)
Athletics highlights: Placed fifth in the lightweight eight at 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals
"I can't wait to explore the world and meet new people around the country at Wisconsin and get a different perspective of the country and even learn how to live in a different weather pattern!!," Krivoruchki said. "I want to know what it's like living away from home and learn how to adapt to a completely different environment."
Rebecca Lonski, Wauwatosa, Wis. (Milwaukee Rowing Club/Wauwatosa East High School)
Athletics highlights: Winner of the "Spirit of MRC" Award in 2016 for the Milwaukee Rowing Club. Is also a past letterwinner as a swimmer.
"I am most excited to be a Badger next year because every time that I've visited the campus, I have experienced the camaraderie that exists among the students there," Lonski said. "I have known that I've wanted to go to Madison since I was younger, and my excitement continues to grow as I get closer to becoming a part of that."Â
Monica Rodriguez, Miami, Fla. (Miami Rowing Club/MAST Academy)
Athletics highlights: Placed fifth in the lightweight four at 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals. Spent time training at Penn Athletic Club and placed fourth in the lightweight four at 2017 USRowing Club Nationals. A former cross country competitor, she has run five half marathons.
"Being a Division I rower means putting in much dedication and toughness, both mental and physical," Rodriguez said. "It means that you are willing to make sacrifices and always stay determined and focused. But being a D1 rower also means that you get to make instant and lifelong friends and you build a community full of mutual support and teamwork."
Rachel Smith, New Canaan, Conn. (Maritime Rowing Club/New Canaan, High School)
Athletics highlights: Posted a sixth-place finish at the 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals in the lightweight weight. Took second in the lightweight eight at the 2017 Northeast Regionals.
"I am excited to be a Badger because I know Badgers value hard work, kindness, dedication, teamwork and family," Smith stated. "After seeing the team and the coaches and the dynamic they have created, it has made me want to become a part of it."
Sophia Thibert, Green Bay, Wis. (Bay Port High School)
Athletics highlights: State qualifier in both track and field, as well as swimming.
"While I never thought that I would be a Division I rower at UW-Madison, to me, it means opportunity," Thibert said. "An opportunity to continue my love of being a part of a sports team and competing with my teammates to achieve our goals."
Â
Ashley Wright, Ft. Mitchell, Ky. (Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club/Queen Rowing Club/Notre Dame Academy)
Athletics highlights: Placed fourth at 2017 USRowing Youth nationals in the lightweight eight with Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club, while also placing second at the Cincinnati Indoor Regatta in the lightweight category her junior season. Took third at the 2016 USRowing Youth Nationals in the lightweight eight and third at the 2016 USRowing Club Nationals in the under 17 four. Her lightweight eight placed ffith at 2015 USRowing Youth Nationals.
Â
"To me, being a Division I rower means that I will be furthering myself and my abilities in a sport that I am in love with," Wright stated. "I know that rowing at the DI level will not only advance me in my athletic career, but also for the rest of my life, because the value of being on a competitive team is something that not everyone gets to experience."
The 12 student-athletes include Kellie Ackerman (Mahomet, Illinois), Mackenzie Cote (Wilton, Connecticut), Elizabeth Demers (Rocky River, Ohio), Grace Hetzel (Weddington, North Carolina),
Kellie Ackerman, Mahomet, Ill. (Mahomet-Seymour High School)
Athletics highlights: Dancer for the Mahoment-Seymour High School dance team. Attended summer rowing camps.
"To me, being a D1 rower means being surrounded by like-minded athletes who are as devoted and driven to succeed as I am," Ackerman stated. "It also means that I have the opportunity to represent my university in a competitive environment."
Mackenzie Cote, Wilton, Conn. (Maritime Rowing Club/Wilton High School)
Athletics highlights: Spent 14 years competing in horseback riding. Also played seven years of lacrosse, four years of ski racing and four years of cross country.
"Being able to call myself a Badger is something that I once thought to be far-off, but a tireless aspiration," Cote said. "Now that this dream of mine has become a reality, I can say that I am most excited to work with this group of girls who I know has just as much drive, passion and grit that I do."
Liz Demers, Rocky River, Ohio (Cleveland Foundry Juniors/Rocky River High School)Â Â Â Â Â
Athletics highlights: 2017 Head of the Cuyahoga bronze medalist in the women's eight. Also won gold medals in the women's four at the 2017 Hoover Columbus Fall Classic and the 2017 Head of the Ohio
"While researching colleges, I found out that Wisconsin has a lot to offer me, both academically and athletically," Demers said. "Its world-renowned engineering department and accomplished rowing program are two things that are hard to come by. Once I visited the school, I knew that I wanted Wisconsin to be the place that I would spend the next four years of my life."
Grace Hetzel, Weddington, N.C. (Charlotte Youth Rowing/Homeschooled)
Athletic highlights: North Carolina champion in the women's junior single sculls. Also won the same title in Maine. Was a multiple-time, top-five finisher at USA Cycling National Track Championships
"Wisconsin has such a strong identity and an awesome culture and I am really excited to be a part of it," Hetzel said. "I'm also pumped to see snow more than once a year and to eat Babcock ice cream!"
Lindsey Jiron, Vienna, Va. (Resilient Rowing Club/James Madison High School)
Athletics highlights: Took sixth place with the varsity eight at the 2017 Stotesbury Cup, while finishing in 10th at the 2017 SRAA Nationals. Also won a silver medal in the varsity eight at the 2017 Virginia State Championship. Also at the 2016 and 2017 Mid-Atlantic Erg Springs, placed fifth in the lightweight 20-minute row.
"I could tell during my first visit to campus that it was the perfect place for me," Jiron said. "Wisconsin has great academic opportunities, amazing facilities, and inspiring team spirit."
Tanisha Khurana, Harrington, N.J. (Advanced Community Rowing Association/Northern Valley Regional High School)
Athletics highlights: Won 2017 USRowing Club Nationals in lightweight double sculls
"Being a Division I rower means everything to me," Khurana said. "It shows that all the hard work I've put in over the past years have counted."
Sophia Krivoruchko, Mill Valley, Calif. (Marin Rowing Association/Tamalpais High School)
Athletics highlights: Placed fifth in the lightweight eight at 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals
"I can't wait to explore the world and meet new people around the country at Wisconsin and get a different perspective of the country and even learn how to live in a different weather pattern!!," Krivoruchki said. "I want to know what it's like living away from home and learn how to adapt to a completely different environment."
Rebecca Lonski, Wauwatosa, Wis. (Milwaukee Rowing Club/Wauwatosa East High School)
Athletics highlights: Winner of the "Spirit of MRC" Award in 2016 for the Milwaukee Rowing Club. Is also a past letterwinner as a swimmer.
"I am most excited to be a Badger next year because every time that I've visited the campus, I have experienced the camaraderie that exists among the students there," Lonski said. "I have known that I've wanted to go to Madison since I was younger, and my excitement continues to grow as I get closer to becoming a part of that."Â
Monica Rodriguez, Miami, Fla. (Miami Rowing Club/MAST Academy)
Athletics highlights: Placed fifth in the lightweight four at 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals. Spent time training at Penn Athletic Club and placed fourth in the lightweight four at 2017 USRowing Club Nationals. A former cross country competitor, she has run five half marathons.
"Being a Division I rower means putting in much dedication and toughness, both mental and physical," Rodriguez said. "It means that you are willing to make sacrifices and always stay determined and focused. But being a D1 rower also means that you get to make instant and lifelong friends and you build a community full of mutual support and teamwork."
Rachel Smith, New Canaan, Conn. (Maritime Rowing Club/New Canaan, High School)
Athletics highlights: Posted a sixth-place finish at the 2017 USRowing Youth Nationals in the lightweight weight. Took second in the lightweight eight at the 2017 Northeast Regionals.
"I am excited to be a Badger because I know Badgers value hard work, kindness, dedication, teamwork and family," Smith stated. "After seeing the team and the coaches and the dynamic they have created, it has made me want to become a part of it."
Sophia Thibert, Green Bay, Wis. (Bay Port High School)
Athletics highlights: State qualifier in both track and field, as well as swimming.
"While I never thought that I would be a Division I rower at UW-Madison, to me, it means opportunity," Thibert said. "An opportunity to continue my love of being a part of a sports team and competing with my teammates to achieve our goals."
Â
Ashley Wright, Ft. Mitchell, Ky. (Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club/Queen Rowing Club/Notre Dame Academy)
Athletics highlights: Placed fourth at 2017 USRowing Youth nationals in the lightweight eight with Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club, while also placing second at the Cincinnati Indoor Regatta in the lightweight category her junior season. Took third at the 2016 USRowing Youth Nationals in the lightweight eight and third at the 2016 USRowing Club Nationals in the under 17 four. Her lightweight eight placed ffith at 2015 USRowing Youth Nationals.
Â
"To me, being a Division I rower means that I will be furthering myself and my abilities in a sport that I am in love with," Wright stated. "I know that rowing at the DI level will not only advance me in my athletic career, but also for the rest of my life, because the value of being on a competitive team is something that not everyone gets to experience."
Hadzo "Hodge" Habibovic Media Conference || Wisconsin Lightweight Rowing || April 8, 2024
Monday, April 08
IRA National Championship Hype
Tuesday, May 30
Hodge Habibovic Media Conference || Wisconsin Lightweight Rowing || April 24, 2023
Monday, April 24
Mattison Presser: Younger Classes Really Stepping Up
Tuesday, May 07
