Nancy LaRocque Adds 12 to Roster

Varsity four out on the Connecticut River

Photo by: Doug Austin

9/13/2021 10:57:00 AM | Women's Rowing

The Big Green will open the fall at the beginning of October

By: Charlotte Brackett

HANOVER, N.H. – Head coach of women's rowing Nancy LaRocque has announced the addition of 12 athletes to the roster ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Joining the Big Green as members of the Class of 2025 are Emily Broome, Sonya Danchak, Daisy Dundas, Emma Hochberg, Aarushi Jain, Clay Kates, Morgan Kendall, Ulla Libre, Grace McInerney, Samantha Paisley, Cecelia Plass and Maja Tellander.

Name: Emily Broome
Hometown/High School: Coppell, Texas / Coppell
Position: Rower
Accolades: Coppell High School Red Jacket (highly selective school ambassador program) … honorable mention for poetry and selection for publication from the Coppell Gifted Association … National Honor Society … AP Scholar with Distinction … all-academic for softball.
Why Dartmouth: "Several years ago, I began visiting Dartmouth to attend softball camps, and I was struck by the beauty of the Connecticut River. Those images stayed with me as I transitioned from softball to rowing. While training in Texas, I stayed motivated by visualizing myself rowing on the Connecticut amidst the beauty of the trees and the calmness of the water. After I met members of the coaching staff and team, I knew that Dartmouth rowing was where I could hone my skills as a rower and be surrounded by people who promote a culture of positivity."

Name: Sonya Danchak
Hometown/High School: Westport, Conn. / Staples
Position: Rower
Accolades: Captain … won two gold medals at the summer nationals in 2019 … five-time national champion in synchronized skating … First Honors … Excellence in Computer Science Award.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth rowing because of the opportunities to grow as an athlete and to be part of the incredible community. After walking around campus this summer, I knew I wanted to be in the woods!"

Name: Daisy Dundas
Hometown/High School: Salt Point, N.Y. / Deerfield Academy
Position: Rower
Accolades: Came third in the NEIRA Grand Finals for the Girls' second four … Honor Roll … Cum Laude Society … Bartlett Wetherbee Boyden English Prize.
Why Dartmouth: "Right away, the Dartmouth team seemed to me exceptionally tight-knit and supportive. There is a clear emphasis at the college on its close community, and nowhere did I feel that more than from talking with the coaches and team members about the culture of rowing here. I also noticed that not only does Dartmouth rowing clearly want to continue the high level of training and competition already established, but it seems driven to push past that point. It's really exciting to know that I will be training alongside women dedicated to progress and improvement. I also get to spend another four years on the Connecticut rowing for the Big Green."

Name: Emma Hochberg
Hometown/High School: Scarsdale, N.Y. / Scarsdale
Position: Rower
Accolades: Finished in second place in the women's 8 at the 2021 U.S. Youth Nationals … was first in the women's 8 at the 2019 Head of the Charles … candidate for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program … Signifer Honors Society.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth rowing for the unique opportunity to be completely in nature while training. I also chose Dartmouth for the amazing team atmosphere and hard-working attitude."

Name: Aarushi Jain
Hometown/High School: Hicksville, N.Y. / Wheatley School
Position: Coxswain
Accolades: Captain … third place at New York Scholastic Championship in the V8 (2021) … founder, president and head coach of the Wheatley Debate Club … vice president of student government … Girl Scouts Bronze and Silver Award … Susan Bergtraum Leadership in Action Award.
Why Dartmouth: "Dartmouth rowing brings the school's tight-knit community even closer and turns it into a family. It has the perfect blend of competitiveness and support for girls to really exceed individually and as a team. I ultimately chose Dartmouth because of the team culture and how each girl encourages those around them."

Name: Clay Kates
Hometown/High School: San Diego, Calif. / The Bishop's School
Position: Rower
Accolades: Most Improved Rower Award in 2018 … came in first place in the lightweight 4+ at the 2020 Youth Virtual Nationals … Spanish Honor Society … Stephanie Blankenship Award for six years of honor roll … Cum Laude Society … Presidential Service Award.
Why Dartmouth: "I can't think of anything better than rowing on the beautiful Connecticut River as part of a tight-knit rowing community of incredible teammates!"

Name: Morgan Kendall
Hometown/High School: Dover, Mass. / Noble and Greenough School
Position: Rower
Accolades: Captain … awarded the Clint Allen Bowl for Tough Competitive Rowing … was third in the Novice 4 at the Northeast Regionals in 2019 and third in 2021 … awarded Highest Academic Distinction all four years.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose to row at Dartmouth because of the sense of collectiveness I got from the team, which is so unique and inspiring. Team camaraderie is something that is super important to me, and I could immediately feel that when I talked to some of the girls who have been rowing at Dartmouth for a few years. I love how the intense training is coupled with a massive support system and role models who push each other to be the best every day. I could not be more excited to join the Dartmouth team and I can't wait to meet everyone!"

Name: Ulla Libre
Hometown/High School: Alta, Utah / The Waterford School
Position: Rower
Accolades: Placed sixth in the women's double at the 2021 U.S. Youth Nationals … was third in the women's quad at the 2019 Youth Regional Challenge … winner of two Scholastic Gold Keys for writing … Waterford Award for best encompassing the school's academic values.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth rowing because of the combination of athletics and academics that the school has to offer. I am incredibly excited to row on the Connecticut and to be surrounded by an amazing group of strong, uplifting and determined women."

Name: Grace McInerney
Hometown/High School: La Jolla, Calif. / The Bishop's School
Position: Coxswain
Accolades: Captain … came in second place in the women's 4+ at the U.S. Youth Nationals in 2021 … Spanish Honor Society … Cum Laude Society … The President's Volunteer Service Award … AP Scholar with Honor … Scholastic Art and Writing Award, Silver Key.
Why Dartmouth: "I think the rowing experience is incredibly unique at Dartmouth, from the team members to the facilities to the coaches. Added together, I felt as though there was a lot to be excited about in an environment where I would be challenged and grow as an athlete and an individual."

Name: Samantha Paisley
Hometown/High School: Salt Lake City, Utah / Rowland Hall School
Position: Rower
Accolades: 2020 Youth Olympic Games for ski mountaineering and U18 national champion … came 11th in the nation at the 2020 Youth Virtual Nationals … Tedx Talk on microplastics in 2018.
Why Dartmouth: "Because I come from a background in ski mountaineering, I am fairly new to the rowing scene. I am excited to be part of a team that will help me grow as an athlete and a person."

Name: Cece Plass
Hometown/High School: Sarasota, Fla. / Pine View School
Position: Rower
Accolades: Placed third at the 2019 U.S. Youth Nationals … three-time FRSA Sweep State Champion … assistant captain … Sarasota Crew Scholar-Athlete … AP Scholar with Distinction … National Honor Society member and secretary.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth rowing because of the team atmosphere, support system and future goals. I am so excited to help put Dartmouth rowing on top and develop tight bonds with my teammates and coaches."

Name: Maja Tellander
Hometown/High School: Wellesley, Mass. / Wellesley
Position: Rower
Accolades: Came in first place in the women's eight at the 2018 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta … placed 15^th at the 2019 U.S. Youth Nationals and improved to fourth in 2021.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth rowing because I wanted to be part of a close-knit team. I am incredibly excited to continue Dartmouth's rowing legacy with a new coaching staff. I knew Dartmouth was the best place for me to be a part of a highly competitive and supportive team and I cannot wait to represent the Big Green."