PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland rowing program is bringing in seven recruits as Lexa Wendl (Sammamish, Wash./Sammamish Rowing Association), Soleia Quinn (Glencoe, Illi./New Trier HS), Audrey Manning (Castle Rock, Colo./Mile High Rowing Club), Sophie Osborn (Seattle, Wash./Inglemoor/Northshore Rowing), Megan Duifhuis (Nanaimo, Vancouver B.C./Nanaimo Rowing Club), Kirra Klassen (San Diego, Calif./University City HS, ZLAC Rowing Club), and Gaby Twitchell (Alameda, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd HS, Artemis Rowing Club) have all committed to the Pilots, announced head coach Pasha Spencer.
 
"We are excited to bring in seven recruits from Canada to Colorado that are aligned with the team's goals," said Spencer. "They are a strong, goal-oriented group and the team is happy to have all of them as a part of our family and program this Fall."

 

 
(Lexa Wendl)
 
Q: What impact would you like to make in the fall 2020? - what would you do to prepare for it?
 
Wendl: "When I get to UP in the fall, I want to learn what it is like to be a college athlete and a part of this team. I hope I will grow fitness wise and technique wise. I want to arrive as strong as I can, so I will make sure to stay fit over the summer! I am most looking forward to being a good teammate and supporter."

­­
 

(Gaby Twitchell)
 
Q: What lessons have you learned that you will bring into next year?
 
Twitchell: "I have dealt with many, many coaching and team--not club, but actual teammates--changes and so I have become very adaptable and open to new things. Throughout these changes, I have also had to support my other teammates and bring an optimistic attitude to practice. I learned that you get out of the sport what you put into it, so I always give at least 100%."

 

 
(Audrey Manning)
 
Q: How has rowing impacted your life?
 
Manning: "Rowing has changed my life. The sport has taught me to fight harder than I ever thought I could and continuously break past barriers. The strength I have developed from rowing has carried over into how I approach other aspects of my life. I am beyond thankful for the toughness rowing has developed in me over the past five years."


 

(Sophie Osborn)
 
Q: How has the season ending affected you? - what have you learned about yourself, about being a student athlete or being on a team?
 
Osborn: "The spring season ending early has been really difficult. I have found that while balancing school and a sport may be challenging, it really helped me keep a consistent daily schedule and motivated me to work harder in all areas of my life. I also found that watching people work hard and being around other people who are very driven makes me want to try harder and is just a support system I really took for granted…(next) fall I hope to be a support system for the team, help out in any areas that I am needed, and quickly get to know what all the rowers need from me as a coxswain because I know that everyone has different preferences in how they are motivated!"



 
(Soleia Quinn)
 
Q: Why did you choose Portland and UP Rowing?
 
Quinn: "I felt welcomed to the team by women who had similar goals as me. I loved the coaching staff and the location is incredible! The University also matched my academic aspirations along with the community being a great fit."

 


(Kirra Klassen)
 
Q: What impact would you like to make in the fall 2020? - what would you do to prepare for it?
 
Klassen: "In the fall of 2020 I am hoping to simply learn from the older girls and find my place on the team. I am prepared to be coachable and take criticism with gratitude… I chose UP because of the sense of belonging that I felt both when I went on my tour the first time, and on my official visit when I got to meet the team. I am so excited to become a part of the family!"




(Megan Duifhuis)
 
Q: Why did you choose Portland or UP Rowing?
 
Duifhuis: "I chose UP and UP rowing because I was looking for a school where the standard for academics and athletics was high and had there was a strong sense of community on campus as well as on the team. On my official visit I was able to witness the interconnectedness of the school community with the desire and supports in place to achieve successes both athletically and academically.  I also felt extremely welcomed and everyone was super nice."