Nov. 23, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State Head Crew Coach Jen Zebroski today announced the signing of 10 athletes to National Letters of Intent. Eight members of the group are from California with the other two coming from Washington and Michigan. All are high school seniors who will join the Aztec rowing program for the 2010-11 season.
This year's fall signings include Melinda Baron, Chelsee Brewster, Lauren Cimino, Robyn Corcoran, Rochelle Curdes, Emma Geiszler, Allysa McLauchlin, Jennifer Miller, Kathleen Raymond and Shawna Rodgers.
"We're very happy to have signed these 10 student-athletes who we think will help strengthen our team in the years to come," said Zebroski. "They are an experienced group with excellent rowing backgrounds who I think will have an immediate impact on our success next fall. The entire coaching staff is excited to have these athletes join the team and we're looking forward to have them become a part of the Aztec family."
Melinda Baron has competed in the sports of basketball, cross country and street hockey during her prep career at Los Altos High School in Los Altos, Calif. She has competed for the past two years with NorCal Crew and prior to that spent two years with the Pacific Rowing Club. "Melinda is a hard-working athlete who has been the recipient for two Coaches Awards in her junior rowing program," said Zebroski. "In addition, she has competed in the top boats in both the Pacific and NorCal junior rowing programs."
Chelsee Brewster is in her first year of rowing with the Newport Aquatic Center and is currently in her final year at Orange Lutheran High School in Santa Ana, Calif. She has also competed in cross country, track and basketball and plans to major in film production at SDSU. "Chelsee began rowing at the Newport Aquatic Center this fall, but has quickly made her way into the top boat in the program," noted the head coach. "She is a dedicated athlete with a lot of potential in the sport of crew."
Lauren Cimino will arrive at San Diego State from Woodbridge High School in Irvine, Calif. A middle blocker for the school's volleyball team, she intends to be a communications major in college. "Lauren is a great athlete and at 6-2 has an excellent build for our program," commented Zebroski. "She'll be a solid addition to our novice squad next fall."
Robyn Corcoran has played basketball, softball and volleyball during her time at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. A potential psychology major at San Diego State, she has rowed for the past two years with the Oakland Strokes club. "Robyn is in her second year with the Oakland Strokes and has learned the work ethic and education it takes to become a top-level athlete," said the SDSU coach.
Rochelle Curdes currently attends Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, Calif., where she has competed for the softball and basketball teams. She rows with the Marina Aquatic Center and plans to major in communications at SDSU. "Rochelle is an incredible athlete who has a background in a variety of sports," noted Zebroski. "She's had a great deal of success in her junior rowing program. In her first season at Marina Aquatic Center she stroked the novice 8 to a bronze-medal finish at the Southwest Regionals"
Emma Geiszler is senior at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, Calif. One of the more experienced rowers in among the recruits, she has four years as a member of the Marin Rowing Association. "Emma currently rows for one of the top junior programs in the country," commented Zebroski. "Her 8 boat had the highest placing of any west coast crew at the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta this year. She has a great work ethic and she will be a valuable addition to our program."
Alyssa McLauchlin, a senior at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Wash., played volleyball and basketball during her prep career and has a year of rowing experience with the Samammish Rowing Club. She plans to major in criminal justice in college. "Alyssa is a talented multi-sport athlete who has the tools to become an excellent rower at SDSU and I look forward to working with her for the next four years," said the Aztec head coach."
Jennifer Miller is another experienced rower who has spent four seasons with the Palo Alto (Calif.) Rowing Club. She attends Homestead High School in Sunnyvale and will major in geology at San Diego State. "Jennifer has been the team captain at Palo Alto Rowing Club for two consecutive years," noted Zebroski. "She is developing into a great leader and coxswain, and I'm looking forward to working with her next season.
Kathleen Raymond will come to the Aztecs from the state of Michigan where she is currently a senior at Grosse Point North High School. She has competed in cross country, track and basketball and brings a year of rowing experience having competed for the Detroit Boat Club. "Kathleen is an amazing athlete and student," said the coach. "She has received a scholar-athlete award every season and has been a huge contributor to her junior rowing club in Detroit."
Shawna Rodgers is a coxswain who has been a member of the Los Gatos Rowing club for the past three years. A senior at Archbishop Mitty High School in Los Gatos, Calif., she plans to major in communications at San Diego State. "Shawna is an outgoing, competitive coxswain from Los Gatos who has a broad base of experience that will help her in the sport of rowing," commented Zebroski. "She rowed for one year and has coxed the junior and masters program at her club."
The Aztecs recently completed the fall portion of their 2009-10 schedule and will resume competitive action in February when they participate in the annual City Championships on Saturday, Feb. 27, on Mission Bay in San Diego.