Cougar Rowing Adds Six More for 2018-19

PULLMAN, Wash. – Six prospective student-athletes have committed or signed National Letters of Intent to row for Washington State University beginning next season, head coach Jane LaRiviere announced, Thursday.

Leena Kattel (Tartu, Estonia) comes to the Palouse with valuable international racing experience and academic achievements that make her a great fit for Washington State. Kattel is a two-time competitor at the World Junior Rowing Championships in both the quadruple sculls and the double sculls. She is interested in studying natural resource sciences and biology at WSU.

Coach LaRiviere on Kattel:
"To say that Leena is a hard worker and a determined person is an understatement. She signs her name to everything she does, whether that's achieving outstanding marks in the classroom, pushing herself in rowing, being a great teammate, or even completing crossword puzzles! Her attitude and quest for excellence will fit right in with the rest of our team and we are thrilled to have her be a Coug."

Megan Duthart (London, England) rows for Thames Rowing Club. Originally discovering rowing after being talent spotted through the British Rowing World Class Start program, Duthart has won medals at the British Rowing Junior Championships and National Junior Sculling Regatta. She also reached the semifinals of the Henley Women's Regatta in both 2017 and 2018, and won bronze in the Open Women's Quad Sculls at the 2018 Ghent International Regatta. Duthart plans to pursue journalism and media production while at WSU.

Coach LaRiviere on Duthart:
"As well as an impressive junior rowing resume, Megan has shown herself to be a dedicated leader outside of rowing. While at Grey Court Secondary School, Megan was Head Prefect, Head of House, and Head of the school council. We think Megan is a great fit for our program here at WSU, and we're all excited to see her reach her potential as a Cougar rower."

Emma Conaty (Edmonds, Wash.) comes to Pullman after a successful sculling career at Seattle Preparatory School. On a team with a small roster, Conaty took to the single and has established herself as one of the Northwest's best scullers, taking 12th at USRowing Youth Nationals as a junior, and recently winning bronze at the Northwest Youth Regional Championships and qualifying for Youth Nationals again, where she went on to finish fifth overall. Conaty is interested in studying agriculture and viticulture and enology.

Coach LaRiviere on Conaty:
"Emma has everything we look for in a student-athlete. She is smart, incredibly hard working, responsible, and extremely goal driven. A tough, gritty person that always seems to have a smile on her face. We believe her potential in rowing is limitless, and we cannot wait to have her on campus."

Olivia Olmsted (Portland, Ore.) comes to WSU after rowing at Rose City Rowing Club. She was selected to represent the Pacific Northwest in the Youth Regional Challenge in Florida and stroked the second varsity 8+ at the Northwest Regional Junior Championships for her club. She was a four-year member of honor roll and a member of the National Honor Society and National French Honor Society and graduated with honors at West Linn HS. Olmsted is interested in studying sport science.

Coach LaRiviere on Olmsted:
"Olivia came to us as someone very much under the radar. We always are looking for those that are passionate about Washington State, and she knew she wanted to be a Coug right from the start. We love how serious she takes her academics, and she has done a great job with her high school team and has held leadership roles in different crews, and we really think she can flourish in our program."

Ciara McCall (Olympia, Washington) comes to WSU from Olympia Area Rowing. McCall started her rowing career as a lightweight rower; but in recent years has made the transition to coxing. She is known as an all-around team player, who loves being on the water and is happy to fill in where needed. McCall will be studying pre-law at WSU to pursue her long-term career aspirations to work in the legal sector.

Coach LaRiviere on McCall:
"There is a tremendous advantage in having a coxswain who understands the sport of rowing from both the rower's and the coxswain's point of view, and we are excited to have Ciara bring this perspective to our team. We look forward to watching her continue to develop as a coxswain, while turning into a future leader of the Washington State Cougars."

Greta Geier (Colfax, Wash.), a walk-on, is a three-sport athlete having earned nine varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and softball, and was a member of the Colfax High School 2B state championship volleyball teams in 2015 and 2017, and the 2018 2B state championship basketball team. Geier is interested in studying Education.

Coach LaRiviere on Geier:
"Greta immediately impressed us with her athleticism and work ethic. Coupling those with her height and excellent attitude, we believe she has a very bright future in the sport of rowing. She was a team captain, and you can see how she leads those around her and the results she's amassed. We can't wait to get her going!"

These six join Emma Dockray (Grimsby, Ontario), Gabby Hannen (Nelson, New Zealand) and Meg Montgomery (Lantzville, British Columbia), who each signed NLIs to row at WSU during the early signing period in the fall.

Washington State University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos