University of Tennessee Athletics
Rowing Adds Four to 2016 Signing Class
May 25, 2016 | Rowing
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --Tennessee Rowing Head Coach Lisa Glenn announced the completion of the 2016 signing class on Wednesday. The Volunteers will add four newcomers to their 2016 signing class after adding five signees in February.
Tennessee will welcome Rebecca Caruso, Jenna McGrath, Brenna Randall and Erin Wilson to the rowing team starting in the fall. The Vols added Mikayla Dutton, Anna Irving, Anneta Kyridou, Jessica Magnoli and Annie Pelic in February to bring the total incoming 2016 class to nine student-athletes.
“As we move forward with our vision for the future, we are pleased to welcome four new prospects to our 2016 signing class," Coach Glenn said. "Brenna, Jenna, Erin and Rebecca are showing great promise currently and are being developed by strong junior coaches. I know each of these young women will bring unique strengths when they join forces with Mikayla, Anna, Anneta, Jess and Annie as part of the Vol Rowing family in the fall. Coach Sarah Arms has been instrumental in putting together this exciting class; her tireless efforts, and the efforts of all of the staff, are greatly appreciated.”
Find out about the new signees as well as comments about the rowers from Tennessee Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Sarah Arms.
Yonkers, New York
The Ursuline School | RowAmerica Rye
Rebecca Caruso
Rebecca Caruso hails from Yonkers, New York and will join the Tennessee rowing team after picking up the sport this winter. Caruso played volleyball at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York where she was a middle blocker. She joined the RowAmerica Rye club team where she posted a top 2000 meter time of 7:25.8.
Coach Arms on Caruso: "Rebecca began rowing during the winter of this year and has seen quick progress with her speed. I know she will soak up the training and really make strides with her technique as she continues learning this summer under Coach Marko Serafimovski. She is a competitor and is an exciting addition to our 2016 signing class!”
Tega Cay, South Carolina
Fort Mill H.S. | Charlotte Youth Rowing
Jenna McGrath
Jenna McGrath will come to Tennessee from Fort Mill High School and comes to Knoxville from Tega Cay, South Carolina. She is a member of Charlotte Youth Rowing and was voted the 2015-16 Coxswain Captain for her team. She has been coached by Byron “Doc” Walthall and has been a coxswain for the past four years where she has worked with males and females in 4+ and 8+ boats. She has also taken up fencing and has a black belt in karate. McGrath plans to major in engineering at UT.
Coach Arms on McGrath: "I think Jenna’s competitive leadership as a coxswain is going to fit right in when she arrives in Knoxville. She is not only a smart coxswain but also has high expectations for herself academically. I look forward to seeing her contributions to the team during her time here at Tennessee!"
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luther College H.S. | Regina Rowing Club
Brenna Randall
Brenna Randall joins the Vols from Regina, Saskatchewan in Canada. She attended Luther College High School and competed for the Regina Rowing Club. Randall began rowing in the spring of her junior year in high school after previously being involved in Track and Field. Despite that she has proven to be a quick study as she took third place in the junior women division of the 2016 Prairie Indoor Rowing Championships. She finished just .8 seconds out of second place. At the 2015 Canadian National Rowing Championship, Randall took ninth place.
Coach Arms on Randall: "“Brenna is a natural to rowing and has seen consistent progress in her training under Coach Garett Mathiason. She is really going to flourish with the team while bringing her competitive edge to the group. Brenna is going to make an impact as a student-athlete with Tennessee Rowing!”
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
King's Christian Collegiate | Don Rowing Club
Erin Wilson
Erin Wilson joins the Vols from King's Christian Collegiate. The Burlington, Ontario native rowed for Don Rowing club where she took second place at the 2016 South Niagara High School Invitational while competing in the Senior Women's Club 2- competition. Wilson was teammates with current Vol Pari Baker last year at Don Rowing Club. Wilson took 19th of 54 qualifiers at the 2016 Canadian Indoor Rowing Championship in the Junior Girls Final.
Coach Arms on Wilson: "Erin is a fierce competitor, a loyal teammate, and has a great sense of humor. She will bring those attributes to the team to fit in right away while also having the opportunity to grow. She is a strong addition to the group and we look forward to having her here in the Fall!”
