USC Welcomes New Class of Oarswomen

Eight high school rowers have signed with the USC women's rowing team, Trojan head coach Josh Adam announced today (June 6).

These eight signees will join Amanda Sutrick who signed with the Women of Troy in November 2017.

"These young women make up an outstanding first recruiting class under my tenure as head coach. We are excited to add them to the USC women's rowing family," said Adam. "Collectively, there are seven Junior World Championship appearances, including six A Finals and three medals, among many other international and national successes. Most importantly, this class brings an enthusiasm for education, a dedication to the Trojan Family, a hard work ethic, world-class race experience and an excitement for what we can achieve within the USC women's rowing program."

Anicka Mackova makes her way to Troy from Bechlin, Czech Republic. The 5-8 Mackova has won multiple Czech National Championships and earned a gold medal (2016) and silver medal (2017) at the Czech Indoor Rowing Championships. Internationally, Mackova has won two gold medals at the 2016 and 2017 Junior Rowing World Championships representing the Czech Republic in the 8+. Mackova will arrive in the fall ready to impact the Trojan boats.

"Anicka Mackova joins a great tradition of Czech rowers coming to USC for their university education and rowing development," said Adam. "Her academic dedication and kind nature are just a few qualities that make her a great fit for USC. The bounty of success she has had as a Czech Junior National Team rower makes her a wonderful addition to USC women's rowing."

Marta Kempf hails from Munkebo, Denmark and has been a competitive athlete her entire life. Since beginning her rowing career in 2010, the 5-10 Kempf has become a seven-time national champion in Denmark. Internationally, she has won a European Championship in the 2x, placed fifth in the same event at the 2016 Junior World Championships and most recently placed fifth at the 2018 World Cup 1 regatta.

"Marta joins a growing tradition of Danish oarswomen studying and training at USC," said Adam. "As we have become more familiar with Marta and her family, it has become clear that she is a driven competitor. She has already proven herself to be a world-class athlete. We have also come to know that Marta is a driven student. We look forward to furthering her development both in academics and athletics within the Trojan Family."

Claudia Cabula also crosses the Atlantic to join the Women of Troy. Cabula, a 6-2 oarswoman from Bosa, Italy, brings international competition experience to USC. While racing in the 8+ for the Italian National Team, Cabula earned the bronze medal at the 2016 Junior Rowing World Championships and placed fifth at the 2017 Junior Rowing World Championships.

"Claudia is a tireless student and an extremely competitive oarswoman," said Adam. "From the first conversations we had, it was clear that Claudia was dedicated towards furthering her education in the United States. As we delved further into her academics, it was very apparent that USC's international footprint would be a perfect fit for her in her college studies and beyond. Combined with her world-class caliber rowing experience as exemplified by her Junior Worlds attendance, she is an amazing addition to the team."

Alice Ekros arrives at USC from Jonkoping, Sweden. She has been a top national athlete in two sports for her country. Before rowing, she was the 2014 Youth National Champion in diving for both the 1m and 3m springboard and platform. After dedicating herself to rowing, the 5-6 oarswoman quickly began to dominate the sport by becoming the Youth National Champion five times between 2015-2017 in multiple boat classes. Internationally, Alice earned ninth place at the 2016 Junior World Rowing Championships and fifth at the 2017 Junior World Rowing Championships. Her efforts culminated in her earning a spot at the 2017 Senior World Championships where she placed 13th and was one of the youngest competitors in the field. She also competed at the 2017 Senior World Cup I in the Lightweight 2x. In addition Ekros was recognized as the Best Swedish Female Role Model by the Swedish Rowing Federation in 2017. She was also the recipient of the NK Athlete Grant which is awarded to athletes showing promise and drive within the sport of rowing.

"Alice has already shown herself to be a stellar citizen of the world and a world-class rowing competitor," said Adam. "It has been great to discover her personable nature, confidence and resilience as a person through the recruiting process. We are excited to help progress her education at USC and to help further her elite-level development in rowing."

Ryleigh Megill joins the Trojans from Seal Beach, Calif. The 6-0 rower competed for the Newport Aquatic Center in Newport Beach, Calif. Megill began rowing her senior year of high school and quickly found success in the sport. She was invited to the 2018 U19 US Rowing Selection Camp and will compete for a spot on the team this summer. Before rowing, Ryleigh competed both in beach and indoor volleyball.

"Ryleigh is an amazing local talent whose strength of character has been evident from the start," said Adam. "Getting to know Ryleigh and her parents in the recruiting process has been great. Her excellent academics and tenacious athleticism make her a great fit for the Trojans and USC women's rowing. Rowing with great athletes like herself will only further her development into an even better oarswoman."

Bridget Parker, a 5-10 rower, arrives at USC from Princeton, N.J. While racing for Princeton National Rowing Association, she placed fourth in the 8+ at the 2016 USRowing Youth Nationals and fifth in the 8+ at the 2017 Head of the Charles.

"Bridget has been a joy to get to know in the recruiting process," said Adam. "She has earned her spot in the Varsity Eight for PNRA again this season and that has been great to watch. We are excited to have her on the team."

Annika Crvarich joins the Trojans from Alameda, Calif. The 5-7 rower competed for the Oakland Strokes club team while in high school and was voted co-captain her senior year. Crvarich comes from a strong athletic background and also participated in soccer, basketball, softball, taekwondo and dance.

"All of Annika's coaches have attested to her ability to work hard, lead those around her and provide sincere support to her teammates," said Adam. "These qualities make her an excellent fit for the USC Rowing Family. We look forward to watching her perform in her academics and on the water."

Annika Christensen is a decorated coxswain from Sewickley, Pa. The 5-1 Christensen rowed for the Three Rivers Rowing Association and coxed very successful crews, helping them win the 2016 Head of the Charles in the 4+ and earning silver at the 2017 USRowing Youth National Championships in the 4+. Like fellow signee Ekros, Christensen was also awarded the NK Athlete Grant for showing promise and drive in the sport of rowing.

"Watching Annika Christensen's commitment to her scholarly pursuits this past year has been inspiring and should allow her a smooth transition to USC," said Adam. "Plus, listening to her command of boats as a coxswain has revealed an emerging leader that we are grateful to add to our coxswain cadre at USC."

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