Donata Elez

Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Osijek, Croatia
High School:
Gimnasium in Osijek

(2024-25): Joined the Cardinals in the spring… Competed in the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invite, Sarasota 2K, SIRA Championship Regatta, Lake Wheeler Invitation and ACC Championship… At the ORCI, rowed in the No. 4 seat in the Varsity 8 boat to a third place finish in its heat and helped the Varsity 8 boat to a 3^rd place finish in its heat on Sunday… At the Sarasota 2K, rowed in the No. 3 seat in the Varsity 8 boat to a third place finish in its heat against North Carolina, Dartmouth, Boston College, West Virginia and Kansas State and helped the Varsity 8 boat to a 3^rd place finish with a time of 6:39.43… At the SIRA Championship Regatta, rowed at seat No.3 in the Varsity 8 time trial in the Varsity 8 boat, leading the way with a time of 6:09.657 against competitors such as High Point, Vanderbilt, and Stetson… Rowed in the Varsity 8 Semifinals and Finals at seat No.3 in the Varsity 8 boat, placing first in both races… At the Lake Wheeler Invitational, rowed in the No. 3 seat, helping the Varsity 8 boat to a third-place finish in its heat and a fourth-place showing in Friday’s second round… Helped the V8 finish fifth in Saturday’s third round… At the ACC Championship, rowed at the No. 3 seat, helping the 2V8 boat place third in the Petite Final, good for a third-place finish after being edged by Clemson (6:31.234) and finishing 1.413 seconds behind Notre Dame which won with a time of 6:30.437… On the first day of the championship, the 2V8 crew placed fifth in its heat with a time of 6:43.286… Named to ACC All-Academic Team and Academic Honor Roll

Prep: Elez made the journey Louisville from Osijek, Croatia after graduating from Gimnazija Osijek High School and was a member of the Osijek Iktus Rowing Club. She was nominated for the “2024 Sportswoman of the Year” in her hometown of Osijek, Croatia after helping Osijek Iktus Rowing Club to the 2024 overall rowing national championship.

Personal: Born on January 10…Has a brother, Lovoro…Major is biology (pre-vet)