Rowing Adds Recruits for Fall of 2021

Head coach Kim Chavers has announced the first 16members of her recruiting class that will enroll at Michigan State in the fall of 2021 and become a part of the Spartan rowing program.

"The class of 2025 is going make an immediate impact on our program," notes Chavers, who is welcoming her second class to East Lansing. "We are confident that their experience, character and mindset will encompass the Spartan spirit."

This group of experienced rowers consists of student-athletes from six states (Michigan, California, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) in addition to three international student-athletes from New Zealand, England and, Australia. Six of the incoming student-athletes are from the state of Michigan, which is growing both rapidly and significantly in its opportunities for young rowers.

"Rowing is a sport which continues to grow at the high school level and affords us the opportunity to work with athletes from around the world, who each bring their own styles and experiences," continued Chavers.

Botting Row21

Lucy Botting
Fr., 5-6, Christchurch, New Zealand/St. Margaret's College

Prior to MSU:  As a senior, helped St. Margaret's to a South Island Club Championship in the U19 eight, as well as in the U19 coxed four … Captured a silver in the U18 South Island Secondary Schools coxed four as well as posting the fastest time in New Zealand in the U18 eight … In the St Margaret's College Sports Awards as a junior and a senior, won awards for Ongoing Excellence in Sport - Rowing, while also capturing awards in the U18 eight for Most Successful Crew and Best Performed Overall Sports Team … As a junior, won gold at the Maadi Cup in the U18 eight and U17 coxed four, setting a New Zealand course record in the four … Member of the South Island U18 Representative team and Canterbury Women's U20 Interprovincial Team … From the Zonta Sports Awards member of the Outstanding Team of Sportswomen (U18 8+), Earned the St. Margaret's College Pocket as a sophomore as she helped the U16 eight to bronze at the Maadi Cup, and also earned bronze a year prior at the Maadi Cup in the U15 eight … Participated in the North vs South U18 Regatta as well as the Interprovincial Regatta in 2019.

Personal:  Daughter of Phil and Karen Botting … Has one older brother, Tom … Young Enterprise Scheme Regional Champion for Canterbury North and earned Academic Achievement and Effort Awards in Business Studies at St. Margaret's … Undecided on a major.

Brooks Row21

Jaime Brooks
Fr., 5-10, Midland, Mich./ Midland

Prior to MSU:  Began rowing for the Bay City Rowing Club during the summer prior to her junior year … Swam competitively for 11 years with the Midland Dolphins and Midland High School Girls swim teams, specializing in distance freestyle events ... Earned varsity letters in her junior and senior years … Midland Most Improved Junior in 2019… Two-time Saginaw Valley Conference All Academic Team selection … Most Improved Swimmer in the senior division for the Midland Dolphins team in the 2018-2019 season.

Personal:  Daughter of Jen Brooks and Jane Rechsteiner … Has an older sister, Jessi … Jane Rechsteiner was a three-sport athlete at Delta College (1972-74), starring in field hockey and volleyball in addition to basketball, where she was the second-highest point scorer at National Junior College Women's Basketball Tournament in 1973 and finished her hoop career at Eastern Michigan (1974-76) … 2020_NCWIT Aspirations In Computing Award, All A Honor Roll Sophomore and Junior year … Michigan School Vocal Music Association Excellent Rating at State Solo & Ensemble Festival as a junior … Soprano section leader and Vice President of Midland's honors choir … Started a Girls Who Code club at a local elementary school … Enjoys distance running specializing in 10K or half marathons … Aspires to a veterinary career, specifically concerning early screening options for life-threatening diseases in animals.

Dvonch Row21

Chloe Dvonch
Fr., 5-10, Grosse Pointe, Mich./ Grosse Pointe South

Prior to MSU:  Three-year varsity letter winner in rowing at Grosse Pointe South … Rowed at the Head of the Charles in 2019 in the Junior 4+…Rowed at the Head of the Hooch in 2019 … Two-time Scholar-Athlete … Involved in several AP and Honors courses.

Personal:  Daughter of Shawn and Holly Dvonch … Has a younger brother, Ian … Plans on majoring in Political Science.

ENgel Row21

Freya Engel
Fr., 6-1, Wokingham Berkshire, England/ Famborough Sixth Form College

Prior to MSU:  Rowed for Famborough both years she attended … Won the women's junior eight at Hampton Head before the remainder of the 2020 season was canceled due to Covid … Rows for the Henley Rowing Club, winning gold in the first eight at Hampton Head … Had several races scheduled for 2020 (Woman's Head, Henley fours and eights and National Championships) which were cancelled due to COVID … Previously rowed for Marlow Rowing Club, where she competed at Hammersmith Head, Henley Small Boats, and Reading Uni Head … Also played netball for St. Crispins School, helping the team to a league title in 2018 and played for Wokingham Netball Team competing in the adult league.

Personal:  Daughter of Marko Engel and Nancy Race … Has one brother, Jakob … Mother rowed one year abroad at Western Ontario University (Canada) in 1989 … Will major in criminal justice at MSU.

Gonya Row21

Kendall Gonya
Fr., 5-2, Galena, Ohio/ St. Francis DeSales

Prior to MSU:  Turned to rowing as a senior in high school after a prep career as a four-year varsity starter in softball … Trained by Team USA Coxswain Mary Whipple's 9th Seat program … Under Armour Softball Factory All-Great Lakes Player for the Class of 2021 and pre-season All-America for her summer travel team … Triple Crown Academic All- American Showcase game selection in 2019 … Ohio High School Fastpitch Coaches' Association Scholar Athlete Award.

Personal:  Daughter of Kenneth and Jennifer Gonya … Has a younger sister, Averie … National Honor Society ... Spanish National Honor Society; National Seal of Biliteracy (Spanish) ... National Merit Quarterfinalist ... Honor Roll status for all quarters of her high school career ... State, district and local Science Fair Finalist ... First Place recipient of 2017 State STEM/Oxycon Award ... Power of the Pen (creative writing team) State Qualifier ... Earned the Juror's Choice Award Ohio State Fair Youth Arts Exhibition ... Selected for first and third place honors in painting division of St. Francis DeSales art show ... School representative and finalist for District,Governor's Choice, and Scholastic Art Awards … Plans on majoring in Materials Science and Engineering.

James Row21

Amelia James
Fr., 5-8, Victoria, Australia/ Genazzano FCJ College

Prior to MSU:  Four-year rower, twice a member of the first eight … Finished sixth in the HOSG (state championships) and seventh at the Sydney International Rowing Regatta (national championships) in her junior season before Covid claimed her senior campaign in 2020 … Victoria champions in the first quad as a sophomore and a fourth-place finish as a freshman … Also played football and netball.

Personal:  Daughter of Paul and Jane James … Has four siblings – sisters Madeline and Audrey, and brothers Henry and William … Lifeguard for Surf Life Saving Victoria (achieved bronze, silver and gold medallions) … Grade four achieved in both piano and clarinet … Accepted into MSU's James Madison College with a career goal of working with global aid organizations for children's rights and working towards improving global health in developing countries.

Ava Kehoe
Fr., 5-9, Northville, Mich./ Northville

Prior to MSU:  Rowed scholastically at Northville High School, earning her first varsity letter as a sophomore … Captain of the Northville team her senior year … In 2019 as a sophomore, helped the Women's Junior 8+ win a State Championship at the SRAM 2019 Championship Regatta, as well as a Regional Championship at the Midwest Rowing Championship Regatta in the Women's JV 4x … Competed in the SRAA National Championships Regatta, placing 10th in the Women's JV 4x event … A member of the Washtenaw Rowing Team in the summer of 2019, traveled to St. Catharine's, Ontario to compete in the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, moving onto semi-finals in the Women's U17 4x.

Personal:  Daughter of David and Karen Kehoe … Has two sisters, Allison (who also attends MSU) and Alexa …   Played flute for six years in the Symphonic Band and was a member of the marching band's color guard for three seasons … Plans on majoring in Sports Management.

Robertson Row21

Mary Robertson
Fr., 5-9, Crozet, Va./ Western Albemarle

Prior to MSU:  Three-year letterwinner in rowing at Western Albemarle, and also rows for Beaver Creek Sculling … Junior season was wiped out due to Covid … Finished second at VASRA State Championships as a sophomore … Won a VASRA state title in addition to the Stotesbury Regatta as a freshman … Third at SRAA Nationals as a freshman.

Personal:  Daughter of Jeff and DeAnna Robertson … Has a younger sister, Jordan … Member of the National Honor Society … Plans on majoring in Computer Science.

Rochert Row21

Alaina Rochert
Fr., 5-7, Northville, Mich./ Haileybury College, Melbourne, (Australia)

Prior to MSU:  Four-year varsity letterwinner in rowing at Haileybury College … Two-year member of the Blazer Squad … Captain of Boats (team captain) as a senior Rowed in the school's top eight as a junior and senior, stroking the crew as a junior … State Champs Single Scull Bronze Medal in her senior campaign, Earned a trophy for Contribution and Commitment to Rowing in 2020, Earned an invitation to Victorian State Crew Trials as a junior … 10 A Crew and top finish at the state championships as a sophomore … Earned a bronze medal at Junior State Championships as a freshman when she rowed in the 9A crew … Introduced the Connor's Erg Challenge for Brain Cancer Awareness at Haileybury.

Personal:  Daughter of Juergen and Cynthia Rochert … Has a younger sister, Reagan … Plans on majoring in Kinesiology or Business … Interested in a career as a sports psychologist or physiatrist.

Thoma Row21

Samantha Thoma
Fr., 4-11, Interlochen, Mich./ Traverse City Central

Prior to MSU:  Three-year varsity coxswain and two-time captain in rowing at Traverse City Central and also rowed with the Traverse City Tritons Rowing Club … Coxed a novice four to a gold medal at the Frogtown Regatta in Toledo Ohio ...At the Meijer Summer Games in Grand Rapids, won bronze in the women's JV eight in 2018 and the following year won gold in the junior novice four, a silver with the women's Jr 8+, and bronze in the junior 4+ … In the spring of 2019, coxed her high school's lightweight 4+ to a fifth-place finish at the Michigan scholastic rowing championship.

Personal:  Daughter of Ross and Elizabeth Thoma … Mother is an MSU graduate … Earned the Academic Achievement Award and All-School Award for Community, Second place in symposium (science, math, and technology show case), Member of the National Honor Society … Enjoys skiing, sailing, biking, paddle boarding, and wake surfing … Accepted into MSU's Lyman Briggs College … Aspires to a career as a Pharmaceutical researcher or radiologist.

Thomas Row21

Grace Thomas
Fr., 5-5, Ann Arbor, Mich./ Community School

Prior to MSU:  Three-year varsity coxswain for Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor … As a junior, led the coxed four to a gold medal at the Frogtown Regatta before the remainder of the season was canceled due to Covid … Helped Pioneer to a team points title at the Michigan State Championships, and coxed the novice four to a silver medal … Earned a Midwest Regional Novice Four title … St. Mary's Laddie Cup Novice Eight and Novice Four gold medalist … Recipient of the Pioneer Rowing Club Gemini Award as the top novice coxswain … Competitive gymnast for nine years at the Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, retiring in 2018.

Personal:  Daughter of Lara Thomas and Jean Steppe … Has a younger brother, Oliver … Member of the Community High School National Honor Society Chapter … Member of Get Out The Vote Group, Depression Awareness Group, and Feminist Club … 2017 Presidential Service Award … Volunteers at many local organizations, including the Humane Society of Huron Valley, Food Gatherers, and Therapeutic Riding Inc … Plans on majoring in Kinesiology, perhaps aspiring to a career in occupational therapy.

USelis Row21

Brynne U'Selis
Fr., 5-9, Quakertown, Penn./ Lansdale Catholic

Prior to MSU:  Began rowing as a junior in high school, a year reduced to virtual racing due to Covid … Earned first-place finishes at virtual Mercer Sprints in the straight four and in the eight at the virtual Cooper Cup … Earned a seventh-place finish at the virtual nationals in the four … US Rowing March Madness Bracket A participant … Earned varsity letters in soccer, lacrosse, and swimming … Goalkeeper on the Lansdale Catholic's three-straight district championship teams, Standout swimmer who was a district champion in the 100 free, 200 free and 400 free, qualifying for the state championship in four events (50 & 100 free, 200 and 400 free relay) … Archdiocese of Philadelphia Scholar-Athlete.

Personal:  Daughter of Stephen and Jennifer U'Selis … Has two younger siblings, Bryce and Brielle … STEM Honors Program selection … Earned a spot in the Coast Guard AIM summer program … Plans on majoring in Computer Science.

Werner Row21

Skylee Werner
Fr., 5-10, Galena, Ohio/ Olentangy Berlin

Prior to MSU:   Began rowing her junior year at Olentangy Berlin, in addition to having played club and high school soccer for 13 years … Rows with the Westerville Crew on the varsity squad … Captained her soccer clubs Blast FC and Sporting Columbus …Took second place at the Pacesetter tournament, was a finalist in the Buckeye Cup in Ohio, and won the Columbus Futsal League in Ohio.

Personal:  Daughter of Scott and Melissa … Has an older sister, Autumn … Served as a youth soccer coach for both Columbus United and Sporting Columbus … Is ambidextrous and enjoys art … Plans on majoring in Early/Elementary Education.

Williams Row21

Caroline Williams
Fr., 5-10, Sherman Oaks, Calif./ Notre Dame

Prior to MSU:  Began rowing with the Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) of Marina del Rey, CA, as a sophomore in addition to competing for her high school …. Attended the 2018 and 2019 Wisconsin Girls Rowing Camp in Madison, Wisconsin … Participated at the 2019 Southwest Region Rowing Championships in Folsom, California, and was subsequently selected to represent the nation's southwest region at the 2019 US Rowing Youth Regional Challenge in Sarasota, Florida …Attended the 2020 Ready Set Row virtual training program and will be competing at the 2021 US Rowing Club National Championships as a member of the Row West racing club of Southern California … Prior to launching her rowing career in 2018, played several years of club/high school basketball and was the leading scorer and 2018 MVP in helping her high school basketball team secure a conference title … From 2016-18, was also on several competitive club and high school swim teams … In 2016, earned a black belt in karate … Was chosen to represent Notre Dame at the invitation-only 2020 Youth Citizenship Seminar (YCS) held at Pepperdine University.


Personal:  Daughter of Clark Williams and Jim Moore … Four-year Honor Roll student at Notre Dame High School … A talented drummer who played in the Percussion Ensemble and marching band and won a gold medal at the 2018 SCPA Percussion Championships … Plans on majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Wright Row21

Kaylie Wright
Fr., 5-11, Ashland, Va./ Patrick Henry

Prior to MSU:  Began rowing as a sophomore at Patrick Henry … Also joined River City Crew Club as a sophomore … First two regattas were the Head of the Chickahominy and the Occoquan Challenge in 2018 in a varsity eight … Rowed in advanced summer programs for sweeping during her first two years of rowing and participated in an advanced sculling program the summer of 2020 … As a junior, placed second at the Head of the Chick in the varsity eight and also earned a silver medal at the Richmond Chase … Three-year swimming letterwinner, qualifying for regionals all three seasons … Placed first at VHSL regionals as a freshman in the 100 butterfly ,, Earned a new personal best in the 200 free as a junior when she finished third at regionals, and earned team MVP honors.

Personal:  Daughter of James and Elizabeth Wright … Aspires to a career as Orthopedic specialist or Physicians Assistant.

Kaleigh Yunker
Fr., 5-9, Midlothian, Va../ James River

Prior to MSU:  Took up rowing as a sophomore in high school … Placed third in the novice eight at regionals, despite battling a knee injury … Rowed in a double at the Richmond Chase, lining up with multiple collegiate crews … Four-year swimming varsity letterwinner, and also played one year of varsity softball as a freshman … Qualified in the breaststroke as an individual for the state championships in each of her first three years of prep competition, helping her squad to a third-place team finish as a sophomore and junior.

Personal:  Daughter of Michael and Frejus Yunker … Has a younger brother, Aiden …Enjoys wakeboarding, kayaking, and traveling … Plans on majoring in Packaging, with an interest in working as a supply or product manager for MLB.

Players Mentioned

Elena Agioti