Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rowing Announces 2018 Early Signing Class
11/19/2018 10:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
The Eagles bring in three new additions to their 2019-20 squad
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University Head Rowing Coach Kemp Savage announced his 2018 early signee class Monday, Nov. 18. Joining the Eagles for the 2019-20 season will be Alexis Kettler (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton), Lena McCaslin (Hendersonville, Tenn.-Pope John Paul II), and Claire McCurley (Harrison, Ohio-William Henry Harrison).
"I am excited about the rowing experience and raw talent our new group of early signees brings to the team," Savage said. "Their athletic and leadership abilities will help push us to the top of the CAA."
Kettler joins Eastern as the most experienced rower of the 2018 early signee class, earning four varsity letters as a member of the Trenton High School rowing team. A leader in the boat and in the classroom, Kettler is a two-time All-Academic Downriver League Award winner, which is given to athletes who maintain a high GPA while a member of a varsity sports team. The Trenton Trojan rowing team is a three-time state finalist with Kettler at the stroke seat, while also winning the prestigious Hebda Cup in 2018 for the first time in program history. The Trenton, Mich. native is also a four-year letterwinner for the Trojan swim team, earning the title of team captain in her junior season and leading the squad to consecutive Downriver League meet wins.
"I chose Eastern Michigan University because the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew I belonged there," Kettler described. "It felt as if it was my home away from home. I could see myself walking around campus, and eventually in an EMU boat. I chose to continue my athletic career at Eastern Michigan University because I feel that the coaches, as well as the team, will offer me many new opportunities to become a better rower and adult."
"I am excited about the rowing experience and raw talent our new group of early signees brings to the team," Savage said. "Their athletic and leadership abilities will help push us to the top of the CAA."
Kettler joins Eastern as the most experienced rower of the 2018 early signee class, earning four varsity letters as a member of the Trenton High School rowing team. A leader in the boat and in the classroom, Kettler is a two-time All-Academic Downriver League Award winner, which is given to athletes who maintain a high GPA while a member of a varsity sports team. The Trenton Trojan rowing team is a three-time state finalist with Kettler at the stroke seat, while also winning the prestigious Hebda Cup in 2018 for the first time in program history. The Trenton, Mich. native is also a four-year letterwinner for the Trojan swim team, earning the title of team captain in her junior season and leading the squad to consecutive Downriver League meet wins.
"I chose Eastern Michigan University because the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew I belonged there," Kettler described. "It felt as if it was my home away from home. I could see myself walking around campus, and eventually in an EMU boat. I chose to continue my athletic career at Eastern Michigan University because I feel that the coaches, as well as the team, will offer me many new opportunities to become a better rower and adult."
Kettler
Savage saw the natural fit for Kettler as well.
"Alexis really impressed me with her maturity as a leader for a pretty young rowing team," Savage shared. "She has really taken the steps to be a superb collegiate rower."
McCaslin joins the Eagles from Hendersonville, Tenn. with two years of varsity rowing experience as a member of Nashville Rowing. A natural on the water, McCaslin was a member of the club's 1V8 boat within her first year of rowing with the club. A multi-faceted athlete, she also competed on the Pope John Paul II High School's swimming, track, cross country and soccer teams.
McCaslin
"EMU has pretty much everything I could ask for in a school," McCaslin noted. "I'm not compromising anything on my checklist for things I want in a college, and when I visited, I felt so at home. I look forward to challenging myself both on the water and in the classroom and pushing myself to become an all-around stronger person."
Savage sees McCaslin as a perfect fit for the straight-forward rowing style he preaches at EMU. "Through the whole recruiting journey, from the first call to the in person visit, Lena really shined through with her ability to be straight to the point," Kemp said. "Her work ethic with her current team shines through in her no nonsense approach to rowing."
McCurley, a Harrison, Ohio native, prepped at both Stephen T. Badin High School and William Henry Harrison High School, where she was a combined four-year letterwinner for the both school's basketball teams. The power forward led her team to the Ohio Division 3 District Basketball Championship during her sophomore season at Stephen T. Badin.
McCurley (right)
"I am very excited to spend my college career at Eastern Michigan," McCurley stated. "Being a member of the rowing team while pursuing my education degree will allow me to achieve my two lifelong goals of being a Division I college athlete and becoming a teacher."
Even though McCurley will have a steep learning curve the moment she steps into Ypsilanti, Savage is confident in her ability to grasp the sport of rowing.
"Claire first showed us with her desire to learn the sport," Kemp noted. "She really went out of her way to be more than just an athletic-talent transfer and to build her skills to be ready as a rower when she walks in the door."
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