PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Women's Rowing Head Coach Jane LaRiviere announced the Cougars' 2024 incoming class Monday. The 18-member class is expected to enroll at WSU this fall as the largest recruited first-year class in program history. The athletes hail from seven states (Wash., Calif., Md., Va., Texas, Penn, Ill.) and includes three international rowers from New Zealand.
 
"The coaching staff have done an amazing job assembling this class! Each of our new signees is passionate about rowing. They all possess a competitive spirit and an equal commitment to academics. This group will have an immediate impact on our program and when combined with our returners I am very excited for the future of WSU women's rowing."
 
The Cougars are expected to make a second announcement beginning of summer with any and all newer additions to this already robust class.
 
Below are brief bios of each member of the 2024 incoming class for Cougar Rowing:
 
2024 Rowing Recruit Bios
 
Abigail Altenburg | 5-10 | Alexandria City HS | Alexandria, Va.
Abigail Altenburg arrives in Pullman from Alexandria, Va., where she attended Alexandria City High School. In 2023, she was a member of the U19 USA selection development team. In addition to rowing, Altenburg competed as a varsity swimmer and also enjoys hiking and photography. The daughter of Larry and Deborah Altenburg, Abigail is a National honors Society member and participates in 'Women in Stem'.
 
Altenburg on joining WSU Rowing: "I am super excited to go to Washington State. I loved the vibe of the school and the community aspects. I'm hype to get started in Pullman and Go Cougs!" 
 
 
Kennedy Cardona | 5-9 | Lake Stevens, Wash. | Lake Stevens HS
Kennedy Cardona arrives in Pullman from Lake Stevens, Wash. Rowing for the majority of her life, Cardona competes for the Everett Rowing Association, working with coaches Matt Lacey and Brian Wagner. Cardona is the daughter of Augie and Kelly Cardona. She enjoys story writing, listening to music and playing games. She also competed in swimming in high school. Cardona plans to major in physical therapy at WSU.
 
Cardona on joining WSU Rowing: "Washington State's academic and rowing opportunities are why I chose to call this place home for the next 4 years. The supportive and close-bonded culture of this rowing team is exactly what I was looking for in this big decision. I'm so excited to double down on my rowing and academic goals with this team that feels like a family! Go Cougs!"
 
 
Isabelle Delavoye | 5-11 | Oak Ridge HS | El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Isabelle Delavoye will arrive in Pullman from El Dorado Hills, Calif., where she has rowed for three seasons with Capital Crew. She has been a member of V8+ boats that have found much success, including finishing 1st in the 2022 U17 8+ at the San Diego Crew Classic, 2^nd at Southwest Regionals, and 5th in the U17 8+ at Youth National Championships, along with a Top 20 finish at the Head of the Charles Regatta. In addition to rowing, she also participated in volleyball and basketball during high school. She enjoys hiking, reading and serving others. Delavoye is the daughter of Christophe and was coached at Capital Crew by Sarah Puddicombe and Rich Wendling. She plans to study psychology at WSU.
 
Delavoye on Signing with WSU: "I chose Washington State because of the people and the amazing environment you can sense the second you walk on campus. I felt that it would be a perfect fit for me to further my academic and athletic career at a competitive level. I see it is a place for growth with a squad that can make me the best version of myself, all while being surrounded by a supportive staff, coaches, and awesome teammates!"
 
 
Elle Donohue | 6-0 | Loyola Academy | Chicago, Ill.
Elle Donohue will arrive in Pullman having rowed for five seasons at the Chicago Rowing Foundation, where she has been coached by Mike Wallin. Last spring, she helped the 2V8+ boat to a 1st place finish at Midwest Junior Rowing Championships in Bethel, Ohio. In addition to rowing, Donohue enjoys swimming and baking. The daughter of Michael and Koli, she spent 15 months serving as a daytime childcare provider for The Well of Mercy, a 501c3 organization providing supportive housing and services for Chicago's most vulnerable children and parents. She is interested in pursuing a degree in psychology or speech and hearing sciences at WSU.
 
Donohue on joining WSU Rowing: "I chose WSU because I loved the culture. On my visit I could tell that the girls were all very close and wanted to see each other succeed. I loved how they were competitive with one another but were still very supportive of all their teammates."
 
 
Caitlyn Hoffman | 5-8 | Seattle Prep | Sammamish, Wash.
Caitlyn Hoffman will travel across the state to attend Washington State University. Hoffman has rowed for four seasons, earning a varsity letter rowing for Seattle Prep where she is coached by Tom Kellet. Hoffman is a Dean's and President's list member of the National Honor Society. At WSU, she plans to major in environmental science/ecology. In addition to rowing, Hoffman enjoys weightlifting, hiking, reading and drawing.
 
Hoffman on joining WSU Rowing: "I always strive to be open to growth, hardworking, and there for my community. Washington State University fits with all of those aspects of my identity and culture, which cemented my decision. I knew that I would be supported as a student athlete and have many opportunities to grow as a person. The team and the university felt like the place where I would thrive."
 
 
Lis Ana Johansen | 6-0 | Lowell HS | San Francisco, Calif.
Lis Ana Johansen arrives in Pullman from San Francisco, Calif., where she has been rowing for three seasons. Training at the Pacific Rowing Club under coach Emmie Koenig, Johansen was named the club's Most Improved in 2020, her first-year rowing. In 2021, she was part of a U17 4+ boat that finished 2nd at the Youth National Championships. In 2023, Lis Ana attended the US Rowing U19 Selection Development Camp and also placed 3rd at Summer National Championships. She was previously a goalkeeper in competitive soccer before switching to rowing during the pandemic and loved it immediately.  The daughter of Genevieve Johansen, Lis Ana plans to study psychology at WSU.
 
Johansen on joining WSU Rowing: "I knew that Washington State was the right fit for me when I encountered the welcoming team and coaches. The uplifting and supportive environment was immediately evident, and I feel confident that this is the place I will succeed and be the happiest as a student-athlete. WSU stood out as a competitive, hard-working team that truly cares about and trusts each other. I am so excited for the next four years!"
 
 
Alex Jungerman | 5-5 | Ursuline Academy of Dallas | Dallas, Texas
Jungerman arrives in Pullman from Dallas, where she has been coxing for three seasons. She served a coxswain for gold-medal-winning U17 4+ boat at U.S. Rowing Central Championships in May of 2022. Alex has coxed under head coach Dominique Korie at Ursuline Academy and for club coach Josh Geiger at White Rock Rowing, where she earned the Rowing Excellence in Leadership Award. A Dean's List student, she is also a national honor society member as well as both national English and French honor society member. She plans to study political science at WSU.
 
Jungerman on joining WSU Rowing: "Washington State rowing is a dream come true for me honestly. I understand how important finding a supportive team culture is. When I met the team at WSU, they were so diverse, energetic, funny, and kindhearted. The team values teamwork, discipline, and dedication to the sport and each other. I can't wait to cox there for my next four years. Go Cougs!"
 
 
Sarah Miller | 5-8 | Inderkum HS | Sacramento, Calif.
Sarah Miller comes to the Palouse from Sacramento, Calif. where she has rowed three seasons with the River City Rowing Club. Miller is the daughter of Elec and Shanna Miller and intends to major in science communication.
 
Miller on Signing with WSU: "I am so excited to row for WSU in the fall! I love how welcoming the team is and can't wait to get started. GO COUGS!"
 
 
Poppy Montgomery | 5-4 | Holy Names Academy | Seattle, Wash.
Poppy Montgomery brings many years of junior experience to Pullman when she arrives in the fall of 2024. At Holy Names Academy, Montgomery was a three-year letterwinner under head coach Chris Marr. In 2021, she helped the team to a 2^nd place finish in the V8+ at Northwest Youth Regional Championships and was part of a U17 8+ boat that finished 10th at US Rowing Youth National Championships. In 2023, her 2V8+ boat finished sixth at US Youth Nationals while she also captured a pair of wins (U19 8+ and U19 2-) at the Tail of the Lake and NW Regional Championships. The daughter of Darren and Elaine, Montgomery plans to study elementary education at WSU.
 
Montgomery on joining WSU Rowing: "Washington State Rowing matched with my changing identity as a student-athlete because it seemed like an environment of growth. It felt like on the team there is always the opportunity to improve as an individual and as a teammate. Being looked at as a whole person is something that they value at WSU, which really resonates with me. The environment seems like somewhere that I will be able to learn and build a community."
 
 
Phoebe Nagy | 5-4 | Menlo Atherton HS | Menlo Park, Calif.
Phoebe Nagy comes to WSU from Menlo Park, Calif. where she competed with Redwood Scullers. There she finished 9th at the Head of the Charles Regatta in the Men's U19 4x. In addition to rowing, Nagy also competed in soccer, basketball, volleyball and cross country. Nagy is the daughter of Marina Nagy and intends to major in mechanical engineering at WSU.
 
Nagy on Signing with WSU: "Over the course of the next four years, I am excited for the self-discovery and growth that college will bring. I firmly believe that Washington State is the best for me to nurture and expand my evolving identity as a student-athlete with the help of the supportive coaches, a tightly knit team, and many other resources for guidance."
 
 
Ella Novak | 5-9 | Berkeley HS | Berkeley, Calif.
Ella Novak will arrive in Pullman from Berkeley, Calif. She was part of a Varsity 4+ boat that finished 1st at SW Scholastic Regional Championships and went on to finish 11th at the SRAA Championships. Novak has rowed for three seasons and also enjoys swimming, reading, hiking and baking. The daughter of Renita Novak, she was coached in high school by Marie Jones.

Novak on joining WSU Rowing: "I chose WSU because of the strong sense of community and because of the supportive and competitive team environment."
 
 
Kaitlyn Schroeder | 5-10 | Davis HS | Davis, Calif.
Kaitlyn Schroeder comes to the Cougars from Davis, Calif. where she competed for Capital Crew. She has finished 5th at Youth National Championships in the U17 8+ and 19th at the Head of the Charles in the Youth 8+. With Row West Racing Camp, she had a 4^th and 5^th place finish at Summer Club National Championships in the U17 4x and Varsity 8+. Schroeder also competed in swimming and cross country during high school. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Heather Schroeder and plans to major in kinesiology.
 
Schroeder on Signing with WSU: "As a student athlete looking at schools, culture was very important to me, and WSU was easily the best culture that I wanted to be a part of. The people have created a community that makes you feel excited and welcomed to be a Coug, and I felt supported and cared for by the coaches. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
 
 
Elsie Talbot | 5-8 | Geraldine, New Zealand
Elsie Talbot comes to Pullman from Geraldine, New Zealand where she has been nominated for Young Sports Person of the Year in her school's region. In 2023 she earned Elite Colours for rowing, the highest athletic honor at the school. In 2022 she earned the Milne Cup for Rower of the Year at her school and was also the Rower of the Year with the Timaru Rowing Club. She has also competed in snow skiing, cycling and cyclocross. Talbot is the daughter of Mark and Jess Talbot and intends to major in engineering.
 
Talbot on Signing with WSU: "As a student-athlete, one of my biggest values that I strive to hold myself to is the ability to always be improving. As soon as I stepped onto the Washington State campus, I knew that it would be a place where I will always be pushed to be the best I can be both on the water and in the classroom. Another thing that I noticed was the incredible team culture that is based around a strong work ethic as well as supporting everyone around you. This culture was something that I definitely wanted to be a part of, and I can't wait to continue working towards all my athletic and academic goals while rowing for Washington State!"
 
 
Sasha Thompson | 5-8 | Vashon Island HS | Vashon Island, Wash.
Sasha Thompson brings three seasons of rowing experience with her when she arrives in the fall of 2024. In 2022, she stroked the U17 4x to an 8^th place finish at Youth National Championships. Academically, Thompson has earned the Certificate of Achievement in American Literature and plans to student animal science/pre-veterinary medicine at WSU. Athletic excellence runs in Thompsons' family, as her mother was a gymnast at Arizona State, her grandfather, Jack Morris, is a Univ of Oregon Football Hall of Fame member and played four years in the NFL, and her uncle played football at Stanford.
 
Thompson on joining WSU Rowing: "When I first walked into practice on my visit day everyone was super friendly, welcoming, and also a little serious and intense. This was exactly what I was looking for when thinking about what university team I wanted to join. The culture of WSU seems to be all about the team and I can't wait to see how I can contribute from day one!"
 
 
Harriet Thompson| 5-11 | Dunedin, New Zealand
Harriet Thompson follows a long line of Cougar student-athletes from New Zealand as she will arrive this fall from Dunedin, New Zealand. She was selected to the South Island U18 team, while achieving a 2^nd place finish at Maadi 2023 in the U18 1x and 1^st place finish at South Island Rowing Championships in the same event. Thompson was selected to trial for the U19 New Zealand team to compete at World Championships and was additionally selected for the U21 rowing New Zealand camp. She also competed in netball, water polo, and swimming. Thompson is the daughter of Matt Thompson and Sacha Turnbull and intend to major in Social Sciences at WSU.
 
Thompson on joining WSU Rowing: "On my official visit, the rowing team at WSU stood out to me as really open-minded and open to new challenges. As a student-athlete, my identity surrounds the challenges that I face and how I can overcome them with my team. Having a positive team around me will encourage and push me to strive for bigger and better, that's why Washington State rowing fits me."
 
 
Freddy Todhunter | 6-0 | Methven, New Zealand
Friederica (Freddy) Todhunter comes to the Cougars from Methven, New Zealand where she rowed for four seasons. There she was the 2023 National Junior Girls U18 1x Champion. She was third nationally in the U22 2x and eighth in the Women's Senior 1x at the 2022 Junior Championship. Todhunter was also a National Winner in the Girls U17 2x and earned silver in the Girls U17 4x. Todhunter is the daughter of Chas and Dietling Todhunter and intends to major in a science program.
 
Todhunter on Signing with WSU:  "My family and I particularly liked that Washington State is one of the top Agriculture universities in the world. The joint emphasis on both rowing and academics, and the balance between the two, really stood out for us. This balance will hopefully facilitate excellence in both! Go Cougs!"
 
 
Avary Wagner | 5-6 | Sacred Heart Academy | Media, Pa.
Avary Wagner comes to the Palouse from Media, Pa. where she competed in rowing, as well as taekwondo and swimming. In rowing, she was twice a Stotesbury Regatta semi-finalist in the Lightweight 2x and was also a 2-time City Championships semifinalist in the Lightweight 2x. In taekwondo, she was a 6-time State Champion, a district champion, and a European champion. Wagner is the daughter of Jennifer Wagner and intends to major in education.

Wagner on Signing with WSU: "The Washington State rowing team felt like a very accepting and welcoming community from the first time I visited and met with the coaches and staff. This allowed me to feel a sense of belonging within the community and made me feel that I would always have a place on the team, no matter what!"


Sara Torres | 5-2 | Bethesda Chevy Chase High School | Bethesda, Md.
Sara Torres comes to Pullman from across the country in Bethesda, Md. In 2022, she helped her high school team to a bronze medal finish in the 2V8+ Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA) Championships. Torres is the daughter of Jose and Nancy Torres and competes for the D.C. National club, where she is coached by Julian Canha. Torres plans to study public relations or media and technology at WSU.

Torres on joining WSU Rowing: "The second I stepped foot in Pullman I knew Washington State would be the place for me. Everyone I met was so welcoming and prideful of being a Coug. The team truly felt like a supportive family, and I felt like everyone at Washington State from the professors to students wanted me to succeed. The care and dedication everyone had when I visited made me feel like I was valued and would have people to help me through anything I may need while being so far from my family. I am so excited that I have been given the opportunity to represent Crimson and Gray with pride and help contribute to the proud and supportive culture this team has for the next four years."