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Rowing Signs Four for 2009
May 12, 2009
Los Angeles - LMU women's rowing will welcome four newcomers to next year's roster as Coordinator of Rowing Dawn Regan announced Tuesday the signing of Alex Silva, Mackenzie Piper, Hanna Osborne, and Maggie Boze to National Letters of Intent. The quartet comprises the first recruiting class for Regan, who is completing her first year in charge of the LMU program. "We are proud of our incoming freshman class and feel strongly that they will develop into strong athletes," Regan said. "We believe that they will not only take LMU rowing to the next level but will also benefit the communities in which they live." Silva will be a junior next year when she transfers to LMU after two years at Orange Coast Community College. A California native, Alex began her rowing career during the fall of 2006 with the Newport Aquatic Center. After graduating from University High School in Irvine in 2007, Alex enrolled at OCC and was quickly brought into their Varsity 8 program, competing in the Dad Vail Regatta in Pennsylvania. During the 2008-2009 season, Alex has helped the OCC varsity 8 to a second-place finish at the Berg Cup and a third-place finish at the NCRC Regatta in Vancouver, WA. "At 6-foot-1, Alex's height and rhythm will be a strong asset to our program, Regan said. "We expect great things out of Alex and we are excited to watch her grow over the next two years" Standing 5-11, Piper is another tall addition to the Lion program and one of three incoming freshmen from the state of Washington. Currently finishing up her high school career at Seattle Prep High School, Mackenzie started rowing for Greenlake Crew in Seattle in 2006, where she is currently the team captain. In the Lightweight Varsity boat, Mackenzie placed 13th at the Junior Nationals in Cincinnati, OH. Since 2008, she has been a member of the Openweight Varsity 8 at Greenlake, which has gone undefeated this season.
At Seattle Prep, Mackenzie has made the Dean's list all four years. She was attracted to LMU for the opportunities in service, having won the Presidential Service Award, Rotary Service Above Self Award and the Paul Robeson Student-Athlete Award. She has also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House for the last two years and volunteered as a Young Life Work Crew member during the summer of 2008. "Mackenzie's developing leadership skills and work ethic will be a strong addition to LMU rowing," Regan said. The Lions will also welcome Osborne, who is a teammate of Piper's with Greenlake Crew. Hanna will come to LMU from Shoreline, WA, where she is finishing high school at Shorewood High School. She began her rowing career in 2004 with Greenlake Crew, and was a member of the Varsity Lightweight 8+ that won the 2006 Northwest Regional Regatta in Vancouver, WA and the Petite Final at the Youth National Championships in Cincinnati, OH. In 2008, Hanna became a member of the Varsity Openweight 8+, again winning the Northwest Regional Championships and placing sixth at the Youth National Championships Grand Final in Cincinnati. In addition to Hanna's on-water success last year, she received the Greenlake Crew Massart Inspirational Award, voted on by the coaching staff and team members. "Hanna has a strong work ethic and has the ability to inspire those around her," Regan said. "She is always looking to improve and look for new challenges, which will be a valuable asset to the LMU rowing program." Maggie Boze is a three-year rower for Holy Names Academy in Seattle, starting her career with the third varsity eight and working her way up to the Varsity 8+. She capped her high school career by competing in the prestigious Head of the Charles this pass fall. Maggie is an all-around athlete, having also played basketball in high school. "Maggie's determination to work hard, decide on a goal and go for it is exactly what we are looking for in our future Lions," Regan said. "We are excited to see what Maggie can do once she sets a goal and puts her mind to obtaining her goals." LMU loses just two seniors from this year's squad, which placed third in the West Coast Conference. - GO LIONS - |
