Alabama Rowing Announces 2019-20 Signing Class
12/21/2018 5:12:00 PM | Rowing
Three international athletes and one transfer highlight the incoming Crimson Tide class
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama rowing head coach Glenn Putyrae officially announced the Crimson Tide's latest signing class Friday, as the Crimson Tide welcomed seven new athletes, along with two walk-ons. Three will be coming from outside the United States, while sophomore Darcy Jennings joins the Tide after transferring from Minnesota.
Jennings and incoming freshman Claudia Mecchia will arrive at the Capstone in January, while the other newcomers will enroll in August of 2019.
"We are excited these athletes have chosen to join the Crimson Tide," Putyrae said. "It is an exciting time to be joining the University of Alabama rowing team and all of these athletes saw the opportunity to be a part of something special. They know where we are as a program, where we are headed as a team and have chosen to be a part of it all. Roll Tide!"
Emma Ewell | St. Louis, Mo. (Ladue Horton Watkins)
· Won silver medal in women's intermediate four at the 2018 U.S. Club National Championship Sprint
· Has racked up over 50 medals, including at Junior Nationals and Club Nationals
Kristen Ivey | Palo Alto, Calif. (Deerfield Academy)
· 2V4+ New England Champion (2018) at the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championship
· Named Deerfield Academy's Athlete of the Week (May 2018)
Darcy Jennings | London, England (Minnesota)
· Competed in the 2V8+ at Minnesota, earning a first-place finish at the Cardinal Invite
· Posted a season-best time of 6:10.78 in the 2V8+ at the Clemson Invite
Blythe Markel | Alexandria, Va. (TC Williams)
· Competed in TC Women's 1V8+ at the Canadian Nationals, earning a silver medal (2018)
· A part of TC Women's 1V8+ that claimed the team its first medal at the SRAA Nationals for the first time in a decade (2018)
Grace McNally | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Elmwood)
· Talent-identified at age 14 for the Canadian "Row to Podium" program
· Was named Elmwood's team MVP in both rowing and swimming
Claudia Mecchia | Hamilton, New Zealand (Sacred Heart Girls College)
· Part of New Zealand's U-21 team (2016)
· Finished second in the Women's u-21 1V8+ at the Trans-Tasman (2018)
Sarah Pitfick | Northport, N.Y. (Northport)
· Rowed for Long Island Rowing
· Competed in the Canadian Henley Women's u-23 lightweight crew
Kristen Rupinen | Springfield, Va. (West Springfield)
· Won the 8+ at Occoquan Chase and Challenge (2017-18)
· Finished fourth at Canadian Henley in Women's u-19 8+ (2018)
Rachael Tullis | Valparaiso, Ind. (Indiana Connections)
· Has competed in cross fit since the age of 14
· Father is executive director of non-profit
For the most up-to-date information on the team, follow Alabama Rowing via AlabamaRow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.?
