Louisville Rowing Announces 2026 Signing Class
December 17, 2025 | Rowing
The Cardinals ink eight prospective student-athletes that will join the program next fall
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville rowing head coach Derek Copeland has announced eight prospective student-athletes will continue their education and rowing careers at UofL. Lillian Best, Liliana DeMartinis, Piper Dotseth, Anna Hoskova, Blake Harris, Nika Ladonsenszky, Simona Pavlikova and Scarlett Tavasci will all join the Cardinals' roster in the fall of 2026.
Lillian Best
Hometown: Baden, Pennsylvania
High School: North Catholic High School
Rowing program: North Catholic High School Rowing Team
The Staff on Lillian: Coming to The Ville from North Catholic High School, Lillian is one of her school's most promising rowers and team leaders. Lillian brings proven performance under pressure. At the 2025 Pittsburgh Indoor Sprints, she placed 2nd in the Women's U19 2000 m — finishing 10th nationally among a deep field. In the spring of 2024, her varsity crews competed at the regional level and in the head-races circuit, and had a solid showing in multi-boat lineups at regional championships. Academically driven and intellectually curious, Lillian hopes to pursue Biochemistry or Biology, with Pre-Med in mind. Her calm work ethic and disciplined approach to both her academics and her sport reflect the seriousness of those ambitions. Outside the boat, Lillian demonstrates resilience and adaptability — having rowed through the challenging conditions of Pittsburgh's climate and waterways. Her perseverance, steady temperament, and commitment to improvement make her a natural fit for our program. We believe Lillian's combination of athletic potential, academic focus, and quiet determination will allow her to make an immediate and lasting contribution at Louisville Rowing.
Liliana 'Lili' DeMartinis
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
High School: William Penn Charter School
The Staff on Liliana: A multisport athlete from William Penn Charter School, Lili has balanced competitive rowing and high-level swimming with impressive composure, earning a silver medal in the Junior Women's 2x at SRAA Championships this past spring. Her swimming background shows up immediately in her rowing — exceptional aerobic capacity, steely mental discipline, and an ability to sustain high effort across long pieces. She had opportunities to swim at the Division I level, which speaks to her athletic range and overall competitive potential. Lili brings a quiet confidence to everything she does. She is thoughtful, steady, and always ready to engage when it's time to compete. Her experiences outside of sport — including environmental volunteer work and spending part of her summer felling trees with a conservation group — reflect her maturity, work ethic, and willingness to take on challenges that require physical and mental resilience. We're confident Lili's toughness, humility, and team-first approach will make her an outstanding addition to Louisville Rowing. She is the kind of athlete who elevates a boat simply by the way she carries herself, and we can't wait to see her grow within our program.
Piper Dotseth
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
High School: Hopkins High School
Rowing program: Twin Cities Youth Rowing
The Staff on Piper: Piper has been an integral coxswain for Twin Cities Youth Rowing. She has steered her boats through some of the biggest stages in junior rowing — including the Head of the Charles, Head of the Hooch, and a competitive spring campaign at Midwest Regionals — demonstrating poise, precision, and a fierce competitive edge. Piper arrives with a reputation for elevating every crew she leads, bringing clarity, decisiveness, and a deep understanding of how to find speed. Piper is also one of the most prepared and unfazed young coxswains we've encountered. Growing up racing in Minnesota has given her a toughness and adaptability that show in every session; she steps onto any waterway ready to execute. Outside of rowing, her background in jazz and step dance — including competition at the State level — has sharpened her ear for rhythm and enhanced her ability to translate technical cues into boat-moving efficiency. With plans to study mechanical engineering, Piper brings both intellectual curiosity and athletic command to our program. We're confident her leadership, attention to detail, and competitive fire will make an immediate impact on the Cardinal coxswain corps.
Anna Hoskova
Hometown: Hodonin, Czech Republic
High School: Gymnazium Hodonin
Rowing program: VK Hodonin
The Staff on Anna: We are really excited about bringing Anna to the Derby City. Anna brings a determination, dedication and humility to her craft. A standout sculler from the southern region of the Czech Republic, Anna has represented her country as a junior for the past two years with great success. A bronze medalist in the JW2x at the 2024 European U19 Championships, she was disappointed to be named as an alternate athlete for the World U19 Championships in St. Catherines, Canada. Her diligence and commitment to push herself to greater levels resulted in her being consistently in the National Team setup throughout the 2025 season. She returned to the European championships in the 2x (finishing 5th), and followed up by being selected to the JW4x for the World U19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania in August. Sitting in stroke seat, Anna led her crew through tight competition to finish with a spectacular silver medal in a thrilling photo finish. Where Anna may lack in physical stature, she brings a wealth of experience, technical ability, and the tenacity to drive herself and her teammates to greater heights. She fits our Cardinal team perfectly, where her personality and passion can be cultivated further to what will be an exciting future for the program and herself.
Blake Harris
Hometown: Vineland, New Jersey
High School: Cumberland County Technical Education Center
Rowing program: Cooper Junior Rowing
The Staff on Blake: We're pleased to have Blake joining us in Louisville from Vineland, New Jersey—competing out of Cooper Junior Rowing Club, one of the most competitive youth programs in the Mid-Atlantic. Cooper Junior fields top-level crews and regularly sends boats to marquee events like the Head of the Charles Regatta and national-level youth championships. Blake commits to the 40-minute daily commute from Vineland to Camden to train with Cooper — despite the availability of closer clubs — which speaks to her dedication, drive, and willingness to push herself in pursuit of rowing excellence. Blake brings more than just commitment. As a two-sport athlete, rowing and tennis, she combines athletic versatility with a competitive mindset. This dual-sport background enhances her coordination, athletic awareness, and competitive toughness — qualities we value highly. We believe Blake is the kind of recruit who will embrace the challenge of adjusting to a different part of the country and a new program. With her work ethic and open attitude, she has all the makings of a substantial contributor at Louisville — both on the water and within our team culture.
Nika Ladonsensky
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Michigan
High School: Orchard Lake St.Mary's
The Staff on Nika: She has been a driving force for St. Mary's Preparatory and one of the most competitive young rowers in the Midwest, with strong results throughout the Michigan circuit and Scholastic rowing. In June of this year, Nika capped off her junior year campaign with a gold medal in the Women's Sr. 4+ at CSSRA Champs. Coming from a family rooted in high-performance rowing — including uncles who rowed for the Canadian national team — she brings a mature understanding of the sport and a quietly fierce competitiveness. What truly sets Nika apart is her character. She is grounded, team-oriented, and relentlessly hardworking, the kind of athlete whose presence raises the standard around her. Her decision to join ROTC and pursue a future in Homeland Security reflects her deep sense of purpose and desire to serve. We value Nika's toughness, her selflessness, and her ability to see the bigger picture. She is an exceptional fit for Louisville Rowing, and we cannot wait to see her impact on our team and community.
Simona Pavlíková
Hometown: Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic
High School: Gymnázium Vítezslava Nováka Jindrichuv Hradec
Rowing program: VK Vajgar Jindrichuv Hradec
The Staff on Simona: We are delighted to have Simona add to the team in 2026. A truly world-class athlete, she has pedigree that she has built over the past few years in dedication to her sport. Simona has represented Czechia at the World U19 and U23 Championships, winning a bronze medal in the JW4- at the U19 World Championships in St. Catherine's, Canada in 2024. Her first year of competing at the U23 level in 2025 saw her race in the W8+ at the U23 World Championships in Poznan, Poland, finishing sixth. She went on to compete at the U23 European Championships on home water in Racice, Czechia, finishing with an historic Gold medal in the W8+. Simona comes from a small club in the southwest of the country, where she leads by example. We were delighted to see her interact closely with the team during her official visit, and it was clear that Simona's engaging personality was disarming and opened space for her to build strong connections with her prospective teammates, which gives us confidence that she can bring top end speed and experience to the group as well as find support, love and care from her teammates and the wider Cardinal community.
Scarlett Tavasci
Hometown: Sale, Victoria, Australia
High School: Gippsland Grammar
Rowing program: Gippsland Grammar/Mercantile
The Staff on Scarlett: Scarlett comes to The Ville from Gippsland, Australia. She has proven to be a dedicated worker, leader and athlete during her school career. She won a bronze medal at the Australian National Championships, has been part of the Victorian Pathways development program and competed for Mercantile Rowing Club at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England in July. Scarlett has a lively personality and promotes an atmosphere of collaboration, dedication, humor and support to her training. She has high ambitions for herself and her teammates and we are confident that she will be a catalyst for continued growth of the program over the next four years as she explores her studies in political science.
Lillian Best
Hometown: Baden, Pennsylvania
High School: North Catholic High School
Rowing program: North Catholic High School Rowing Team
The Staff on Lillian: Coming to The Ville from North Catholic High School, Lillian is one of her school's most promising rowers and team leaders. Lillian brings proven performance under pressure. At the 2025 Pittsburgh Indoor Sprints, she placed 2nd in the Women's U19 2000 m — finishing 10th nationally among a deep field. In the spring of 2024, her varsity crews competed at the regional level and in the head-races circuit, and had a solid showing in multi-boat lineups at regional championships. Academically driven and intellectually curious, Lillian hopes to pursue Biochemistry or Biology, with Pre-Med in mind. Her calm work ethic and disciplined approach to both her academics and her sport reflect the seriousness of those ambitions. Outside the boat, Lillian demonstrates resilience and adaptability — having rowed through the challenging conditions of Pittsburgh's climate and waterways. Her perseverance, steady temperament, and commitment to improvement make her a natural fit for our program. We believe Lillian's combination of athletic potential, academic focus, and quiet determination will allow her to make an immediate and lasting contribution at Louisville Rowing.
Liliana 'Lili' DeMartinis
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
High School: William Penn Charter School
The Staff on Liliana: A multisport athlete from William Penn Charter School, Lili has balanced competitive rowing and high-level swimming with impressive composure, earning a silver medal in the Junior Women's 2x at SRAA Championships this past spring. Her swimming background shows up immediately in her rowing — exceptional aerobic capacity, steely mental discipline, and an ability to sustain high effort across long pieces. She had opportunities to swim at the Division I level, which speaks to her athletic range and overall competitive potential. Lili brings a quiet confidence to everything she does. She is thoughtful, steady, and always ready to engage when it's time to compete. Her experiences outside of sport — including environmental volunteer work and spending part of her summer felling trees with a conservation group — reflect her maturity, work ethic, and willingness to take on challenges that require physical and mental resilience. We're confident Lili's toughness, humility, and team-first approach will make her an outstanding addition to Louisville Rowing. She is the kind of athlete who elevates a boat simply by the way she carries herself, and we can't wait to see her grow within our program.
Piper Dotseth
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
High School: Hopkins High School
Rowing program: Twin Cities Youth Rowing
The Staff on Piper: Piper has been an integral coxswain for Twin Cities Youth Rowing. She has steered her boats through some of the biggest stages in junior rowing — including the Head of the Charles, Head of the Hooch, and a competitive spring campaign at Midwest Regionals — demonstrating poise, precision, and a fierce competitive edge. Piper arrives with a reputation for elevating every crew she leads, bringing clarity, decisiveness, and a deep understanding of how to find speed. Piper is also one of the most prepared and unfazed young coxswains we've encountered. Growing up racing in Minnesota has given her a toughness and adaptability that show in every session; she steps onto any waterway ready to execute. Outside of rowing, her background in jazz and step dance — including competition at the State level — has sharpened her ear for rhythm and enhanced her ability to translate technical cues into boat-moving efficiency. With plans to study mechanical engineering, Piper brings both intellectual curiosity and athletic command to our program. We're confident her leadership, attention to detail, and competitive fire will make an immediate impact on the Cardinal coxswain corps.
Anna Hoskova
Hometown: Hodonin, Czech Republic
High School: Gymnazium Hodonin
Rowing program: VK Hodonin
The Staff on Anna: We are really excited about bringing Anna to the Derby City. Anna brings a determination, dedication and humility to her craft. A standout sculler from the southern region of the Czech Republic, Anna has represented her country as a junior for the past two years with great success. A bronze medalist in the JW2x at the 2024 European U19 Championships, she was disappointed to be named as an alternate athlete for the World U19 Championships in St. Catherines, Canada. Her diligence and commitment to push herself to greater levels resulted in her being consistently in the National Team setup throughout the 2025 season. She returned to the European championships in the 2x (finishing 5th), and followed up by being selected to the JW4x for the World U19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania in August. Sitting in stroke seat, Anna led her crew through tight competition to finish with a spectacular silver medal in a thrilling photo finish. Where Anna may lack in physical stature, she brings a wealth of experience, technical ability, and the tenacity to drive herself and her teammates to greater heights. She fits our Cardinal team perfectly, where her personality and passion can be cultivated further to what will be an exciting future for the program and herself.
Blake Harris
Hometown: Vineland, New Jersey
High School: Cumberland County Technical Education Center
Rowing program: Cooper Junior Rowing
The Staff on Blake: We're pleased to have Blake joining us in Louisville from Vineland, New Jersey—competing out of Cooper Junior Rowing Club, one of the most competitive youth programs in the Mid-Atlantic. Cooper Junior fields top-level crews and regularly sends boats to marquee events like the Head of the Charles Regatta and national-level youth championships. Blake commits to the 40-minute daily commute from Vineland to Camden to train with Cooper — despite the availability of closer clubs — which speaks to her dedication, drive, and willingness to push herself in pursuit of rowing excellence. Blake brings more than just commitment. As a two-sport athlete, rowing and tennis, she combines athletic versatility with a competitive mindset. This dual-sport background enhances her coordination, athletic awareness, and competitive toughness — qualities we value highly. We believe Blake is the kind of recruit who will embrace the challenge of adjusting to a different part of the country and a new program. With her work ethic and open attitude, she has all the makings of a substantial contributor at Louisville — both on the water and within our team culture.
Nika Ladonsensky
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Michigan
High School: Orchard Lake St.Mary's
The Staff on Nika: She has been a driving force for St. Mary's Preparatory and one of the most competitive young rowers in the Midwest, with strong results throughout the Michigan circuit and Scholastic rowing. In June of this year, Nika capped off her junior year campaign with a gold medal in the Women's Sr. 4+ at CSSRA Champs. Coming from a family rooted in high-performance rowing — including uncles who rowed for the Canadian national team — she brings a mature understanding of the sport and a quietly fierce competitiveness. What truly sets Nika apart is her character. She is grounded, team-oriented, and relentlessly hardworking, the kind of athlete whose presence raises the standard around her. Her decision to join ROTC and pursue a future in Homeland Security reflects her deep sense of purpose and desire to serve. We value Nika's toughness, her selflessness, and her ability to see the bigger picture. She is an exceptional fit for Louisville Rowing, and we cannot wait to see her impact on our team and community.
Simona Pavlíková
Hometown: Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic
High School: Gymnázium Vítezslava Nováka Jindrichuv Hradec
Rowing program: VK Vajgar Jindrichuv Hradec
The Staff on Simona: We are delighted to have Simona add to the team in 2026. A truly world-class athlete, she has pedigree that she has built over the past few years in dedication to her sport. Simona has represented Czechia at the World U19 and U23 Championships, winning a bronze medal in the JW4- at the U19 World Championships in St. Catherine's, Canada in 2024. Her first year of competing at the U23 level in 2025 saw her race in the W8+ at the U23 World Championships in Poznan, Poland, finishing sixth. She went on to compete at the U23 European Championships on home water in Racice, Czechia, finishing with an historic Gold medal in the W8+. Simona comes from a small club in the southwest of the country, where she leads by example. We were delighted to see her interact closely with the team during her official visit, and it was clear that Simona's engaging personality was disarming and opened space for her to build strong connections with her prospective teammates, which gives us confidence that she can bring top end speed and experience to the group as well as find support, love and care from her teammates and the wider Cardinal community.
Scarlett Tavasci
Hometown: Sale, Victoria, Australia
High School: Gippsland Grammar
Rowing program: Gippsland Grammar/Mercantile
The Staff on Scarlett: Scarlett comes to The Ville from Gippsland, Australia. She has proven to be a dedicated worker, leader and athlete during her school career. She won a bronze medal at the Australian National Championships, has been part of the Victorian Pathways development program and competed for Mercantile Rowing Club at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England in July. Scarlett has a lively personality and promotes an atmosphere of collaboration, dedication, humor and support to her training. She has high ambitions for herself and her teammates and we are confident that she will be a catalyst for continued growth of the program over the next four years as she explores her studies in political science.
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