Rowing Adds Five During Early Signing Period
12/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama rowing team signed five student-athletes to national letters of intent in the early signing period head coach Larry Davis announced recently.
Bianca Arrington, Erika Baranek, Kristen Iverson, Paige Storey and Allie Wetteland are part of Alabama's second signing class and are slated to join the Crimson Tide for the 2008-09 season.
"I think all five of these ladies will be able to come in and make an immediate impact for us next season," Davis said. "They are all hard workers who have the drive to be successful at the collegiate level. I am excited about their potential and what they will be able to bring to Crimson Tide rowing."
Arrington rows for Elliot Lane at Thompsons Boat Center in Washington, D.C. She also competes for Rob and Katie Waslaski at Robinson Secondary School where she was team captain as a junior and senior. She was part of the winning Junior A 8 boat at the 2007 U.S. Rowing Club National Championships and helped her boat to a third place finish in the Junior A 8 at the 2007 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. She also earned first-team Washington Post All-Metro Athlete in 2007. A native of Fairfax, Va., she is the daughter of Josie Rodriguez-Walhout.
Baranek rows for William Foster and Gloucester High School and Tim Ulsaker at Mobjack Rowing Association in Mathews, Va. As a junior, Baranek was part of Gloucester's second place Junior 4+ boat, which also won the Virginia State Championship and the prestigious Stotesbury Cup. She also finished third as part of Mobjack's 4+ at the 2006 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. She also competed in basketball, track and cross country in high school and is a member of the Beta and Latin Club. A native of Gloucester, Va., she is the daughter of Steve and Diane Baranek.
Iverson rows for Joe Sullivan at both South Jersey Rowing Club and Shawnee High School. She led the Shawnee Novice 8 boat to an undefeated regular season as a sophomore. As a junior she helped the Varsity 8 qualify for the national championships. Iverson also swims for Shawnee, earning four varsity letters. A National Honor Society officer, she earned Magna Cum Laude honors in the National Latin Exam in 2006. A native of Medford, N.J., she is the daughter of Guy and Ginnie Iverson.
Storey is a coxswain for Allen Eubanks at South East Juniors and Megan Hanewald at the Baylor School. She helped lead Baylor to the Tennessee State Championship in 2007. She earned Most Improved Rower in 2006. Storey also competed in cross country at Baylor. A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., she is the daughter of Jim and Kelley Storey.
Wetteland rows for Brett Tillotson at Leon High School. She helped lead Leon's Junior 8 boat to a third place finish at the SRA National Championships in 2007. She rowed as part of Leon's third place squad at the 2005 Head of the Hooch Regatta. She earned the Novice Hammer award as a freshman. Wetteland also competed in swimming and softball. She was vice president of the Key Club as well. A native of Tallahassee, Fla., she is the daughter of Elton and Sandy Wetteland.
