Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rowing Announces Class of 2020 Signings
6/5/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
The Eagles will welcome 18 new student-athletes in the fall
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University rowing Head Coach Kemp Savage announced 18 Class of 2020 signees to the program, today, June 5. The athletically-talented class features eight experienced rowers and 10 talent-transfer athletes.
"I am very proud to have added 18 new athletes to our team," began Savage. "Everyone of these athletes impressed us with their competitiveness, academic achievements, and athletic achievements. This is not only our largest recruit class, but also the fastest. I am really looking forward to getting all the freshmen on campus and adding to the speed we built this year to win our first Colonial Athletic Association title."
Joining Eastern as veterans of the sport are Kellen Black (Pinckney, Mich.-Skyline), Olivia Bray (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Homeschool), Abby Fuscaldo (Absecon, N.J.-Holy Spirit), Abby Goodwin (Whitehouse, Ohio-Anthony Wayne), Maddie Miller (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile), Isabella Nothom (Springfield, Va.-West Springfield), Alexandria Parsons (Granville, Ohio-Columbus School for Girls), and Abbey Simpson (Wyandotte, Mich.-Roosevelt).
The class also features 10 talent-transfer athletes in Laura Borchers (Troy, Ohio-Troy), Maggie Bower (Bowerston, Ohio-Conotton Valley), Maiyah Devenport (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge), Reagan Fazekas (Hillsdale, Mich.-Hanover-Horton), Tiana Fox (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community), Emily Gandy (Candian Lakes, Mich.-Chippewa Hills), Claire Greenfelder (Chesaning, Mich.-Chesaning Union), Jessica LaRoy (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe), Libbey Lloyd (Cadillac, Mich.-Cadillac), and Olivia Robinson (Hudson, Ohio-Western Reserve Academy).
Kellen Black Pinckney, Mich.-Skyline
Black joins EMU with four seasons of rowing experience. A two-year letterwinner at Skyline High School, she has garnered seven national titles and numerous midwest titles as an Eagle in addition to being named the team's MVP in the fall of 2019. In addition, Black competed as a Merp for the Washtenaw Rowing Center for two seasons. Along with rowing, Black also played volleyball and softball.
Laura Borchers Troy, Ohio-Troy
A three-sport athlete at Troy High School, Borchers comes to Ypsilanti as an 11-time letterwinner in soccer, basketball, and track and field. On the pitch, Borchers served as team captain for two seasons, and has won Greater Western Ohio Conference and Miami Valley Conference titles as a member of the Trojans, as well as garnered All-Miami Valley Second and Third team honors and been named a Miami Valley Senior All-Star. In basketball, Borchers was named team captain, twice, as well as to the All-Miami Valley team as an honorable mention. The Troy, Ohio native is also a three-time All-GWOC selection in track and field. She has also been named a Troy High School Scholar Athlete four times.
Maggie Bower Bowerston, Ohio-Conotton Valley
A two-sport athlete, Bower joins the Eagles after a successful basketball and volleyball career at Conotton Valley High School. She has been named an Ohio District 5 honorable mention in both vollleyball and basketball, while also being named to the First and Second All-Inter Valley Conference teams in volleyball.
Olivia Bray Ypsilanti, Mich.-Homeschool
Rowing since 2018, Bray joins Eastern Michigan from the Detroit Boat Club. Bringing experience at high-profile regattas with her, Bray has competed at the Head of the Hooch and Head of the Charles during her career. In addition, Bray has secured top-five finishes at the Midwest Regional Championships, Motown Madness regatta, and Club Nationals.
Maiyah Devenport Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge
A talent-transfer signee for the Eagles, Devenport comes to EMU as a four-year swimming letterwinner for Prairie Ridge High School, and also competed for the Wolves' wrestling team. She is a recipient of the Illinois High School Association Academic Achievement Award.
Reagan Fazekas Hillsdale, Mich.-Hanover-Horton
Fazekas comes to EMU as a 13-time letterwinner across four sports: cross country, track and field, soccer, and bowling. The Hillsdale, Mich. native has been named to the All-State 4x200 relay team, as well as been named to the Academic All-State team seven times in her career.
Tiana Fox Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community
A four-time letterwinner at Antioch Community High School, Fox comes to EMU after a track and field career, specializing in distance and throws for the Sequoits. The Antioch, Ill. native is a three-time conference champion, and has also been named the recipient of the Most Improved Athlete and Commitment awards.
Abby Fuscaldo Absecon, N.J.-Holy Spirit
Fuscaldo comes to Eastern having earned three varsity letters as a member of Holy Spirit High School's rowing team. As a Spartan, Fuscaldo aided the team to a New Jersey State Championship runner-up finish, second-place finishes at three County Championships, and three trips to the semifinals at nationals. She also competed in swimming and cross country.
Emily Gandy Canadian Lakes, Mich.-Chippewa Hills
A soccer talent-transfer athlete, Gandy is a four-year letterwinner for the Chippewa Hills High School soccer team. During her time as a Warrior, Gandy garnered All-District Team and All-District Honorable Mention honors in addition to being named to the All-Academic team. Gandy is also a 10-year veteran of club soccer, spending three seasons with Xtreme Soccer and seven seasons with AYSO.
Abby Goodwin Whitehouse, Ohio-Anthony Wayne
A five-year member of Black Swamp Rowing, Goodwin brings a wealth of experience to EMU. Goodwin has coxed three undefeated seasons, and has tallied over 20 race wins in her decorated high school career.
Claire Greenfelder Chesaning, Mich.-Chesaning Union
An accomplished high school student-athlete, Greenfelder has earned 10 varsity letters over four sports during her high school career. Joining the Green and White as a talent-transfer athlete, she competed in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and softball for Chesaning Union High School. Greenfelder was a state finalist in discus, and was also named the team's most improved award winner on two occasions.
Jessica LaRoy Monroe, Mich.-Monroe
LaRoy comes to Eastern as a three-year letterwinner for the Monroe High School basketball team. She has earned All-League Honorable Mention accolades, as well as captured the Michigan High School Athletic Association SEC Red title. LaRoy also served as team captain for one season. Prior to focusing on basketball, LaRoy also played volleyball for two seasons.
Libbey Lloyd Cadillac, Mich.-Cadillac
A talent-transfer signee for the Eagles, Lloyd comes to Ypsilanti as a 10-time letterwinner in three sports: ski racing, football, and tennis. A four-year member of the ski racing team, Lloyd served as team captain for two, while also collecting All-Conference accolades twice and being named to the All-Region team once. The Cadillac, Mich. native is also a regional champion in tennis, as well as a district champion and state semifinal qualifier in football. Lloyd is also accomplished on the soccer pitch, having won two conference titles for Cadillac High School and four district titles for Cadillac Soccer Association.
Maddie Miller Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile
A three-year letterwinner in rowing at Grosse Ile High School, Miller joins the Eagles with experience in multiple boat classes. She has competed for the Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan title in each of her three seasons as a Red Devil. In addition to her high school experience, Miller spent three seasons as a member of the Wyandotte Boat Club. She also holds one varsity letter in basketball.
Isabella Nothom Springfield, Va.-West Springfield
A veteran of West Springfield Rowing Club and Resilient Rowing Club, Nothom joins EMU after a successful high school career, including a top-five finish at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association Championships. In addition to rowing, Nothom also played volleyball for the Spartans.
Alexandria Parsons Granville, Ohio-Columbus School for Girls
Parsons arrives at Eastern Michigan after a five-year career for Westerville Crew Club. Notably winning the Head of the Cuyahoga as a member of the V8+ boat, Parsons has also raced at the Head of the Hooch and Head of the Charles. In addition, Parsons also competed for the Unicorns swimming and track and field teams, winning the 2019 Central Catholic League Championship in swimming.
Olivia Robinson Hudson, Ohio-Western Reserve Academy
Robinson comes to EMU as an eight-time letterwinner in cross country and track and field. Serving as team captain for one season, Robinson also holds the fourth-fastest 1,500m time in Western Reserve Academy history, and has posted at least one top-20 all-time cross country mark in each of her four seasons. She was named Western Reserve Academy's Most Valuable Runner in 2017, and was the Pioneers' Coach's Award Recipient in 2018.
Abbey Simpson Wyandotte, Mich.-Roosevelt
A team captain and three-year rowing letterwinner, Simpson comes to EMU from Roosevelt High School. In addition to her time as a Bear, Simpson also competed for Wyandotte Boat Club for three seasons and has served as a team captain. She held the Concept2 marathon word record for the 15-16 year-old age group.
For updates on all things EMU Rowing, be sure to follow @EMURowing on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit EMUEagles.com.
"I am very proud to have added 18 new athletes to our team," began Savage. "Everyone of these athletes impressed us with their competitiveness, academic achievements, and athletic achievements. This is not only our largest recruit class, but also the fastest. I am really looking forward to getting all the freshmen on campus and adding to the speed we built this year to win our first Colonial Athletic Association title."
Joining Eastern as veterans of the sport are Kellen Black (Pinckney, Mich.-Skyline), Olivia Bray (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Homeschool), Abby Fuscaldo (Absecon, N.J.-Holy Spirit), Abby Goodwin (Whitehouse, Ohio-Anthony Wayne), Maddie Miller (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile), Isabella Nothom (Springfield, Va.-West Springfield), Alexandria Parsons (Granville, Ohio-Columbus School for Girls), and Abbey Simpson (Wyandotte, Mich.-Roosevelt).
The class also features 10 talent-transfer athletes in Laura Borchers (Troy, Ohio-Troy), Maggie Bower (Bowerston, Ohio-Conotton Valley), Maiyah Devenport (Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge), Reagan Fazekas (Hillsdale, Mich.-Hanover-Horton), Tiana Fox (Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community), Emily Gandy (Candian Lakes, Mich.-Chippewa Hills), Claire Greenfelder (Chesaning, Mich.-Chesaning Union), Jessica LaRoy (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe), Libbey Lloyd (Cadillac, Mich.-Cadillac), and Olivia Robinson (Hudson, Ohio-Western Reserve Academy).
Kellen Black Pinckney, Mich.-Skyline
Black joins EMU with four seasons of rowing experience. A two-year letterwinner at Skyline High School, she has garnered seven national titles and numerous midwest titles as an Eagle in addition to being named the team's MVP in the fall of 2019. In addition, Black competed as a Merp for the Washtenaw Rowing Center for two seasons. Along with rowing, Black also played volleyball and softball.
Laura Borchers Troy, Ohio-Troy
A three-sport athlete at Troy High School, Borchers comes to Ypsilanti as an 11-time letterwinner in soccer, basketball, and track and field. On the pitch, Borchers served as team captain for two seasons, and has won Greater Western Ohio Conference and Miami Valley Conference titles as a member of the Trojans, as well as garnered All-Miami Valley Second and Third team honors and been named a Miami Valley Senior All-Star. In basketball, Borchers was named team captain, twice, as well as to the All-Miami Valley team as an honorable mention. The Troy, Ohio native is also a three-time All-GWOC selection in track and field. She has also been named a Troy High School Scholar Athlete four times.
Maggie Bower Bowerston, Ohio-Conotton Valley
A two-sport athlete, Bower joins the Eagles after a successful basketball and volleyball career at Conotton Valley High School. She has been named an Ohio District 5 honorable mention in both vollleyball and basketball, while also being named to the First and Second All-Inter Valley Conference teams in volleyball.
Olivia Bray Ypsilanti, Mich.-Homeschool
Rowing since 2018, Bray joins Eastern Michigan from the Detroit Boat Club. Bringing experience at high-profile regattas with her, Bray has competed at the Head of the Hooch and Head of the Charles during her career. In addition, Bray has secured top-five finishes at the Midwest Regional Championships, Motown Madness regatta, and Club Nationals.
Maiyah Devenport Crystal Lake, Ill.-Prairie Ridge
A talent-transfer signee for the Eagles, Devenport comes to EMU as a four-year swimming letterwinner for Prairie Ridge High School, and also competed for the Wolves' wrestling team. She is a recipient of the Illinois High School Association Academic Achievement Award.
Reagan Fazekas Hillsdale, Mich.-Hanover-Horton
Fazekas comes to EMU as a 13-time letterwinner across four sports: cross country, track and field, soccer, and bowling. The Hillsdale, Mich. native has been named to the All-State 4x200 relay team, as well as been named to the Academic All-State team seven times in her career.
Tiana Fox Antioch, Ill.-Antioch Community
A four-time letterwinner at Antioch Community High School, Fox comes to EMU after a track and field career, specializing in distance and throws for the Sequoits. The Antioch, Ill. native is a three-time conference champion, and has also been named the recipient of the Most Improved Athlete and Commitment awards.
Abby Fuscaldo Absecon, N.J.-Holy Spirit
Fuscaldo comes to Eastern having earned three varsity letters as a member of Holy Spirit High School's rowing team. As a Spartan, Fuscaldo aided the team to a New Jersey State Championship runner-up finish, second-place finishes at three County Championships, and three trips to the semifinals at nationals. She also competed in swimming and cross country.
Emily Gandy Canadian Lakes, Mich.-Chippewa Hills
A soccer talent-transfer athlete, Gandy is a four-year letterwinner for the Chippewa Hills High School soccer team. During her time as a Warrior, Gandy garnered All-District Team and All-District Honorable Mention honors in addition to being named to the All-Academic team. Gandy is also a 10-year veteran of club soccer, spending three seasons with Xtreme Soccer and seven seasons with AYSO.
Abby Goodwin Whitehouse, Ohio-Anthony Wayne
A five-year member of Black Swamp Rowing, Goodwin brings a wealth of experience to EMU. Goodwin has coxed three undefeated seasons, and has tallied over 20 race wins in her decorated high school career.
Claire Greenfelder Chesaning, Mich.-Chesaning Union
An accomplished high school student-athlete, Greenfelder has earned 10 varsity letters over four sports during her high school career. Joining the Green and White as a talent-transfer athlete, she competed in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and softball for Chesaning Union High School. Greenfelder was a state finalist in discus, and was also named the team's most improved award winner on two occasions.
Jessica LaRoy Monroe, Mich.-Monroe
LaRoy comes to Eastern as a three-year letterwinner for the Monroe High School basketball team. She has earned All-League Honorable Mention accolades, as well as captured the Michigan High School Athletic Association SEC Red title. LaRoy also served as team captain for one season. Prior to focusing on basketball, LaRoy also played volleyball for two seasons.
Libbey Lloyd Cadillac, Mich.-Cadillac
A talent-transfer signee for the Eagles, Lloyd comes to Ypsilanti as a 10-time letterwinner in three sports: ski racing, football, and tennis. A four-year member of the ski racing team, Lloyd served as team captain for two, while also collecting All-Conference accolades twice and being named to the All-Region team once. The Cadillac, Mich. native is also a regional champion in tennis, as well as a district champion and state semifinal qualifier in football. Lloyd is also accomplished on the soccer pitch, having won two conference titles for Cadillac High School and four district titles for Cadillac Soccer Association.
Maddie Miller Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile
A three-year letterwinner in rowing at Grosse Ile High School, Miller joins the Eagles with experience in multiple boat classes. She has competed for the Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan title in each of her three seasons as a Red Devil. In addition to her high school experience, Miller spent three seasons as a member of the Wyandotte Boat Club. She also holds one varsity letter in basketball.
Isabella Nothom Springfield, Va.-West Springfield
A veteran of West Springfield Rowing Club and Resilient Rowing Club, Nothom joins EMU after a successful high school career, including a top-five finish at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association Championships. In addition to rowing, Nothom also played volleyball for the Spartans.
Alexandria Parsons Granville, Ohio-Columbus School for Girls
Parsons arrives at Eastern Michigan after a five-year career for Westerville Crew Club. Notably winning the Head of the Cuyahoga as a member of the V8+ boat, Parsons has also raced at the Head of the Hooch and Head of the Charles. In addition, Parsons also competed for the Unicorns swimming and track and field teams, winning the 2019 Central Catholic League Championship in swimming.
Olivia Robinson Hudson, Ohio-Western Reserve Academy
Robinson comes to EMU as an eight-time letterwinner in cross country and track and field. Serving as team captain for one season, Robinson also holds the fourth-fastest 1,500m time in Western Reserve Academy history, and has posted at least one top-20 all-time cross country mark in each of her four seasons. She was named Western Reserve Academy's Most Valuable Runner in 2017, and was the Pioneers' Coach's Award Recipient in 2018.
Abbey Simpson Wyandotte, Mich.-Roosevelt
A team captain and three-year rowing letterwinner, Simpson comes to EMU from Roosevelt High School. In addition to her time as a Bear, Simpson also competed for Wyandotte Boat Club for three seasons and has served as a team captain. She held the Concept2 marathon word record for the 15-16 year-old age group.
For updates on all things EMU Rowing, be sure to follow @EMURowing on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit EMUEagles.com.
Rowing Preview: 2025 CAA Championships
Wednesday, May 14
Cinematic Highlights: Rowing vs. Dayton
Tuesday, May 06
Rowing Preview: vs. Dayton, May 3
Thursday, May 01
Cinematic Highlights: Rowing vs Michigan State
Saturday, April 05