Rowing Announces Trio of Spring Signees
April 26, 2017 | Rowing
Cardinals add Haylee Judge, Jordan Kraski and Caitlyn Pike to 2016-17 recruiting class, which featured seven fall signees
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville rowing head coach Derek Copeland announced Wednesday the signing of three prep student-athletes during the late signing period – Haylee Judge, Jordan Kraski and Caitlyn Pike.
That trio joins the Cardinals' seven signees during the early period – Briana Baker, Emily Corso, Micah Dial, Grace Herbert, Madison Meister, Morgan Senogles and Brynna Walchle.
"We are excited to add the following three student-athletes to the already strong class we signed in the fall," said Copeland. "We have been impressed with the work ethic and dedication each of these athletes bring to their high school programs, and know that each of them can not only add and contribute to the positive and competitive culture of performance that we have developed here at UofL over the past few years, but can also benefit from the structures we have in place to thrive both on and off the water over the next four years."
Fans can follow Louisville rowing on Twitter (@UofLrowing) at http://twitter.com/uoflrowing, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UofLRowing and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/uoflrowing.
Haylee Judge
Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan
High School: Traverse City West Senior High School
Parents: Marc and Kymberly Judge
Why She Chose Louisville: "As soon as I met the Louisville rowing team, it immediately felt like a family. The bond that the girls share is so unique and special, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Also the campus was the perfect size and felt like home."
Coach Derek Copeland on Haylee: "A somewhat chance contact from the coaching staff to Haylee started a process that we are thrilled to have completed with her signing for the Cardinals. A pioneering member of a swiftly developing club in Traverse City in northern Michigan, Haylee has made big strides in the sport in a short time. She has shown dedication and great leadership skills as a captain supporting her head coach to develop a competitive program on Lake Leelanau. By being receptive to coaching, working hard and bringing her natural athleticism to bear, Haylee has already developed into a very promising rower with a lot of room to continue her growth. We are delighted that, after an initially hesitant inquiry, Haylee found that the team and UofL as a school suited her needs while calming some of the trepidation she had when making a college choice."
Jordan Kraski
Hometown: Arlington, Washington
High School: Arlington High School
Parents: Dave and Denise Kraski
Why She Chose Louisville: "The competitive team culture and animal mindset the girls have at Louisville was really what drew me in. The program reminds me a lot of where I row now and I felt extremely welcomed by the girls on the team as well as a sense of comfort from it all. I am beyond excited to be a part of such a great team and school environment next fall."
Coach Derek Copeland on Jordan: "Jordan impressed us by taking an unofficial visit from Seattle in the fall and fitting in right away. The staff was blown away by her athleticism, enthusiasm and hunger to improve. Although Jordan has not been rowing for a very long time, her natural athleticism and powerful work ethic will serve her well here at Louisville, and we look forward to developing her into an even more influential athlete and student as part of our dedicated family."
Caitlyn Pike
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
High School: West Orange High School
Parents: Adam and Tory Parish, Hank Pike
Why She Chose Louisville: "I chose Louisville because the support and respect that the girls on the rowing team have for each other is incredible, as well as the support from the coaching staff and the university itself. I fell in love with the atmosphere of the program and felt right at home during my visit. Louisville seemed like a great fit for me, and I felt it was the best place for me to grow both academically and athletically."
Coach Derek Copeland on Caitlyn: "Caitlyn has been an athlete we have followed for quite some time. A product of the Orlando Area Rowing Society, which we know well, Caitlyn has worked extremely hard over the past year and a half in particular to force herself into our recruiting equation. She has performed admirably for OARS and as part of the Southeast Junior Rowing Camp at club nationals. Caitlyn has maintained a positive and upbeat manner throughout the recruiting process and we are thrilled that she felt that Louisville met her personal, academic and athletic needs once she came to visit us early in the year. We are excited about Caitlyn continuing her speedy development as part of our program and making an impact both in the classroom and on the water in the fall."
Â
