Women's Rowing Inks Seven Newcomers
November 26, 2008 | Women's Rowing
Nov. 26, 2008
BOSTON - First-year Boston University women's rowing head coach Stacey Rippetoe has announced this week the addition of seven newcomers to the 2009-10 Terrier squad. The class includes five rowers and two coxswains.
Freshmen Alison Bartos, Megan Connell, Gabrielle Cutler, Katherine Ojeda, Brittany O'Shea, Kate Russell and Mia Serabian hail from five different states, including Massachusetts, New York and California. They will be expected to help bolster a lineup that recently took second in the Varsity 8+ and third in the Varsity 4+ at the Foot of the Charles.
"I'm so pleased with the quality of this recruiting class," Rippetoe said. "The best part about this class is that they'll each be a great fit for our team. Even though they're from different programs and backgrounds, each athlete cited `the team' as a top reason for choosing BU. Not only do they all look forward to contributing to our program, but they all feel great about being part of the team. I look forward to seeing what they each can do."
A native of Gansevoort, N.Y., Kate Russell attends Saratoga Springs High School and rows for Saratoga Rowing Club. In 2006 as a Junior B, she attended U.S. Rowing Development Camp.
"Kate is a very driven, effective athlete," Rippetoe said. "She is passionate about fitness and gets a lot of happiness out of just working hard. People who really enjoy the training for rowing go very far in crew and I know this will be true for Kate."
Megan Connell, a product of Devon, Pa., rows for Conestoga High School. She attended U.S. Rowing Development Camp for Sculling as a Junior B. Both of her parents were collegiate rowers.
"Megan searched very carefully for the right fit for her university career, and she commits to her decisions," Rippetoe commented. "She's going to add to the strength of our team."
From Rumson, N.J., Katherine Ojeda attends Rumson-Fair Haven High School and rows for Rumson Crew, which was founded in 2006. Katherine rowed for Rumson in the Royal Henley Regatta this past summer. Her father, Bobby Ojeda, was a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets.
"Although Katherine is relatively new to the sport, I see a lot of potential in her," Rippetoe said. "She loves to row and I look forward to seeing what our training plan will do for her development as a rower."
Gabrielle "Gabby" Cutler joins the program Haddonfield, N.J., where she attends Haddon Township High School. Her mother, Anne, also rows for South Jersey Rowing Club and is a rowing referee. Gabby's most recent achievement was winning the 2008 Frostbite Regatta in the quad.
"Gabby has a great frame for rowing," Rippetoe said. "I think she's going to like stepping up her training even further and making a big impact on our team."
Brittany O'Shea will make the long trek all the way from Los Alamitos, Calif., and Los Alamitos High School. She currently rows for Marina Aquatic Center, and her brother is a former collegiate rower.
"Brittany is not afraid to take risks," Rippetoe said. "She wants to train hard to see what she can do. I think she's going to thrive at BU."
The first of two coxswains in the class, Mia Serabian is a product of nearby Winchester, Mass., where she attends Winchester High School. She coxes for Community Rowing, Inc. (CRI).
"On her visit, Mia loved the organization and detailed plans our program is built on," Rippetoe said. "She has a lot of knowledge to add to our program, and I look forward to her being part of the team."
Another coxswain, Alison "Ali" Bartos joins BU from Pittsford, N.Y. and Pittsford Sutherland High School. She coxes for Pittsford Crew.
"Ali is a very effective coxswain," Rippetoe explained. "She has an eye for detail which will be very valuable at the collegiate level."
The Terriers are currently focusing on winter training and will have to wait until Saturday, March 28 before their first dual meet of the season with Syracuse at the DeWolfe Boathouse.
