Indiana University Athletics
Get To Know The Indiana Rowing 2018 Signing Class
2/14/2018 2:15:00 PM | Women's Rowing
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Indiana Rowing head coach Steve Peterson and his staff signed seven current high school seniors to National Letters of Intent back in the fall and then welcomed Kira Ritter as a transfer over the winter break. Below is a look at each of them as they join the Indiana family from across the globe.
Kira Ritter
Hometown: Harrison, Ohio
High School Club: Cincinnati Juniors
Previous School: Clemson University
Height: 5'11
Intended Major: Political Science
Quoting Ritter: "Rowing is my passion for two reasons: the camaraderie and the racing. There isn't anything better than sitting at the starting docks, knowing the strength your training and girls in the boat, waiting for the official to drop the flag so you can test the limits and prove your speed against other boats on the course. I want to win NCAA's, and fully believe that this team has the means to get there if we take advantage of them."
Peterson talking about Ritter: "Kira comes to us with a year of Division I rowing experience, as well as some great success prior to that as a part of the Cincinnati Junior Program. She is a very competitive athlete that we are excited to have join our program."
Jayna Dolfi
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
High School Club: The Woodlands
Height: 6'1
Intended Major: Business
Quoting Dolfi: "I chose Indiana because from the moment I stepped on campus the team welcomed me with open arms. I'm so excited to get on the water and start working with them this coming year. I came to rowing from a swimming background and I love the daily grind.
Getting out on the water and putting my all into every practice to reach team goals is what pushes me every single day."
Peterson talking about Dolfi: "Jayna is a strong and powerful athlete who has only begun to realize her potential in her short time in our sport. Successful in both small boats, as well as in the 8, she is going to be an exciting athlete to work with and watch develop during her time here at IU."
Jessica Earle
Hometown: Shingle Springs, CA
High School Club: Capital Crew
Height: 5'2
Intended Major: Human Biology
Quoting Earle: "Rowing became my passion when I realized how competitive of a sport it is. I like to compete, but I love to win. As a coxswain, I will strive toward making my team the best that it can be."
Peterson talking about Earle: "Jessica is a dynamic, smart leader who has learned from one of the best coaches to ever sit in the coxswain seat - Sarah Puddicombe. We look forward to watching Jessica lead our crews to success in the future."
Drew Harris
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
High School Club: St. Louis Rowing Club
Height: 5'11
Intended Major: Nutrition Science
Quoting Harris: "The sport of rowing itself is amazing. It not only allows me to compete with other teams, but also to compete with my own teammates and to grow individually. It has made me mentally stronger, which has helped me in all aspects of life. The friendships I have made through this sport are ones I will cherish forever, and my teammates motivate me every day. My main goal is to do what makes me happy. I know I'll be happy at Indiana and I look forward to growing there, and I am excited to see where it takes me."
Peterson talking about Harris: "Drew is the next athlete in a long line of successful St. Louis junior rowers who have committed to keeping Indiana one of the top programs in the country. A tough, competitive athlete, she is sure to be a big part of our future success."
Ruby Leverington
Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand
High School: Wellington Rowing Club
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Quoting Leverington: "Sport has always been a big part of my life. I switched to rowing from track and cross-country when I was 14 and have loved it ever since. It wasn't until my final year of high school when I focused on the single and formed a really strong bond with my coach, Rachel Gamble-Flint. I then realized how much rowing meant to me and I started taking it seriously. At Indiana, the rowing program, team atmosphere, and scenery at Indiana were what stood out to me."
Peterson talking about Leverington: "Ruby is a highly successful sculler from New Zealand who always has a smile on her face. Coached by former GB sculler, Rachel Gamble-Flint, Ruby's racing success is sure to translate to boat speed for the Hoosiers."
Sophie McCartin
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
High School Club: Rangi Ruru
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Sport Management
Quoting McMartin: "I love the challenge of rowing and being pushed to the limit. I like seeing how far I can push my boundaries. I am determined to win. My future goals include assisting IU to climb in the NCAA rankings even further and representing New Zealand."
Peterson talking about McMartin: "Sophie is an extremely powerful and nationally ranked rower from New Zealand who brings with her a ton of racing success in 8's and 4's. A quiet but intense athlete, the sky is the limit for Sophie."
Keeley Walsh
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
High School Club: Somerville
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Human Biology
Quoting Walsh: "As soon as I stepped onto the campus, the vibe of not only the rowing team but also the whole student body was so warm and welcoming. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be associated with. One day, I would like to represent my country and I know being a Hoosier will help me achieve that."
Peterson talking about Walsh: "Keeley is a successful rower from Australia who fit right in with the team when she visited. It was obvious from our first discussion during the recruiting process that she is a natural born leader and someone we had to have in our program."
Emily Worobel
Hometown: Rumson, New Jersey
High School: Rumson-Fairhaven
Height: 5'7
Intended Major: Nutrition Science
Quoting Worobel: "I chose Indiana because of the extensive opportunities that the university has to offer. In addition to the academic opportunities, I get to take part in the long line of history and success of the university by becoming a Hoosier. I am proud to be one of only a few who get to represent Indiana while enjoying everything the school and beautiful campus has to offer."
Peterson talking about Worobel: "Emily is a dynamo with a tremendous work ethic and competitiveness. She is definitely a Hoosier through and through."
Kira Ritter
Hometown: Harrison, Ohio
High School Club: Cincinnati Juniors
Previous School: Clemson University
Height: 5'11
Intended Major: Political Science
Quoting Ritter: "Rowing is my passion for two reasons: the camaraderie and the racing. There isn't anything better than sitting at the starting docks, knowing the strength your training and girls in the boat, waiting for the official to drop the flag so you can test the limits and prove your speed against other boats on the course. I want to win NCAA's, and fully believe that this team has the means to get there if we take advantage of them."
Peterson talking about Ritter: "Kira comes to us with a year of Division I rowing experience, as well as some great success prior to that as a part of the Cincinnati Junior Program. She is a very competitive athlete that we are excited to have join our program."
Jayna Dolfi
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
High School Club: The Woodlands
Height: 6'1
Intended Major: Business
Quoting Dolfi: "I chose Indiana because from the moment I stepped on campus the team welcomed me with open arms. I'm so excited to get on the water and start working with them this coming year. I came to rowing from a swimming background and I love the daily grind.
Getting out on the water and putting my all into every practice to reach team goals is what pushes me every single day."
Peterson talking about Dolfi: "Jayna is a strong and powerful athlete who has only begun to realize her potential in her short time in our sport. Successful in both small boats, as well as in the 8, she is going to be an exciting athlete to work with and watch develop during her time here at IU."
Jessica Earle
Hometown: Shingle Springs, CA
High School Club: Capital Crew
Height: 5'2
Intended Major: Human Biology
Quoting Earle: "Rowing became my passion when I realized how competitive of a sport it is. I like to compete, but I love to win. As a coxswain, I will strive toward making my team the best that it can be."
Peterson talking about Earle: "Jessica is a dynamic, smart leader who has learned from one of the best coaches to ever sit in the coxswain seat - Sarah Puddicombe. We look forward to watching Jessica lead our crews to success in the future."
Drew Harris
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
High School Club: St. Louis Rowing Club
Height: 5'11
Intended Major: Nutrition Science
Quoting Harris: "The sport of rowing itself is amazing. It not only allows me to compete with other teams, but also to compete with my own teammates and to grow individually. It has made me mentally stronger, which has helped me in all aspects of life. The friendships I have made through this sport are ones I will cherish forever, and my teammates motivate me every day. My main goal is to do what makes me happy. I know I'll be happy at Indiana and I look forward to growing there, and I am excited to see where it takes me."
Peterson talking about Harris: "Drew is the next athlete in a long line of successful St. Louis junior rowers who have committed to keeping Indiana one of the top programs in the country. A tough, competitive athlete, she is sure to be a big part of our future success."
Ruby Leverington
Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand
High School: Wellington Rowing Club
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Quoting Leverington: "Sport has always been a big part of my life. I switched to rowing from track and cross-country when I was 14 and have loved it ever since. It wasn't until my final year of high school when I focused on the single and formed a really strong bond with my coach, Rachel Gamble-Flint. I then realized how much rowing meant to me and I started taking it seriously. At Indiana, the rowing program, team atmosphere, and scenery at Indiana were what stood out to me."
Peterson talking about Leverington: "Ruby is a highly successful sculler from New Zealand who always has a smile on her face. Coached by former GB sculler, Rachel Gamble-Flint, Ruby's racing success is sure to translate to boat speed for the Hoosiers."
Sophie McCartin
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
High School Club: Rangi Ruru
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Sport Management
Quoting McMartin: "I love the challenge of rowing and being pushed to the limit. I like seeing how far I can push my boundaries. I am determined to win. My future goals include assisting IU to climb in the NCAA rankings even further and representing New Zealand."
Peterson talking about McMartin: "Sophie is an extremely powerful and nationally ranked rower from New Zealand who brings with her a ton of racing success in 8's and 4's. A quiet but intense athlete, the sky is the limit for Sophie."
Keeley Walsh
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
High School Club: Somerville
Height: 5'9
Intended Major: Human Biology
Quoting Walsh: "As soon as I stepped onto the campus, the vibe of not only the rowing team but also the whole student body was so warm and welcoming. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be associated with. One day, I would like to represent my country and I know being a Hoosier will help me achieve that."
Peterson talking about Walsh: "Keeley is a successful rower from Australia who fit right in with the team when she visited. It was obvious from our first discussion during the recruiting process that she is a natural born leader and someone we had to have in our program."
Emily Worobel
Hometown: Rumson, New Jersey
High School: Rumson-Fairhaven
Height: 5'7
Intended Major: Nutrition Science
Quoting Worobel: "I chose Indiana because of the extensive opportunities that the university has to offer. In addition to the academic opportunities, I get to take part in the long line of history and success of the university by becoming a Hoosier. I am proud to be one of only a few who get to represent Indiana while enjoying everything the school and beautiful campus has to offer."
Peterson talking about Worobel: "Emily is a dynamo with a tremendous work ethic and competitiveness. She is definitely a Hoosier through and through."
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