July 5, 2006
Fairfax, Va. (July 5, 2006)--The George Mason women's rowing team has added four recruits to its 2006 class as Caitlin Smith, Charlotte Morris, Kristin La Guardia and Holly Clouse have each signed a national letter-of-intent to row for the Patriots beginning with the fall season.
"We are very happy with our recruiting class and it's our biggest recruiting class ever," said Head Coach Geoff Dillard. "We were able to fill key spots, and feel we have a group that will be able to contribute to our top boats right away. We will be very young next year, but that is very promising for the future."
Caitlin Smith comes to Mason from Egg Harbor Township High School in New Jersey where she was a four-year letter-winner in crew. She earned `Most Valuable Rower' award in 2006 and Athlete of the Month in May 2005 for the Eagles. She also played junior varsity soccer two seasons.
"Caitlin has great size to be a top Division I rower, and will have an immediate impact," said Dillard.
Smith rowed two years for the Viking Rowing Club and six years at Atlantic County Rowing Association. She has earned several top finishes, including two silver medals with varsity 4 and varsity doubles at the Atlantic County Championships and a bronze with the JV8 in 2005. In 2004 at the Youth Day Regatta on the Schuylkill River she won a gold medal.
Charlotte Morris from Ridgefield, Conn. rowed for Norwalk River Rowing Association and Maritime Rowing Club for the past two years. She was a rower for the Crew Novice Regional Champions in 2005 and Founders Day Cup Champions in 2006.
"Charlotte comes from a very strong program, and has great athletic ability," said Dillard.
Morris earned varsity letters in two sports, soccer and tennis, at Ridgefield High School. A premier soccer player, she was the captain for one season and earned all-conference honorable mention three years. The mid-fielder was part of the Connecticut State Champions in 2005. An honor roll student, she was a member of the scholar athletic team in 2004.
Kristin La Guardia earned four letters at Gloucester High School in Virginia. She is a member of the Mobjack Bay Rowing Club for the past two years. She has earned many accolades for the trophy case. She earned gold and silver medals at States in 2005 and 2006. She was a silver medalist at the Stotesbury Cup and a bronze medalist at Nationals in 2003.
"Kristin comes from a strong program, and has achieved success in some of the top high school races in the country," said Dillard.
Holly Clouse will attend Mason from Broadneck Senior High School and nearby Annapolis, Md. She was a member of the Sailing team for the Bruins, but they did not have rowing as a sport so she gained all her experience as a member of the Annapolis Junior Crew for the past four seasons.
"Holly has coxed under excellent coaches," said Dillard. "She has a great attitude and good leadership qualities."
Clouse is a very successful coxswain having earned first place finishes at the Ariel Head of the Patapsco in 2004; Baltimore City Sprints, the Head of the Christina, Head of the Potomac and Head of the Occoquan in 2005. She also has a second place finish at the 2006 Baltimore City Sprints and a third place finish at the Head of the Schuylkill in 2005 on her resume. She was named `Outstanding Coxswain for Annapolis Junior Crew this past season.
In addition the following student-athletes plan on rowing for us next year:
Christina Adkins (WYRA/Wilmington, Del.)
Carisa Clinton (Thomas Jefferson/Alexandria, Va.)
Teresa Collins (Great Bridge/Chesapeake, Va.)
Rachel Donnelly (Ridgewood/Ridgewood, N.J.)
Emily Hunt (Woodbridge/Woodbridge, Va.)
Hattie Murphy (Fox Chapel/Fox Chapel, Pa.)
Erin Nightingale (Pittsford/Pittsford, N.Y.)
Eliza Quanbeck (Rivanna/Charlottesville, Va.)
Allison Silver (West Springfield/Springfield, Va.)
Cody Talbot (Arlington/Arlington, N.Y.)
