June 3, 2011
Duquesne rowing head coach Joseph Setting has announced that six freshmen will join the roster for the 2011-12 seasons.
Duquesne Women's Rowing Class of 2015
Julia Borsari - Brookfield, WI/Pius XI High School
Emily Gorham - Springfield, VA/West Springfield High School
Hannah Mazur - Hudson, OH/Hudson High School
Courtney Purslow - Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields High School
Gretchen Swabe - Oak Ridge, TN/Oak Ridge High School
Lauren Turner - Rosemont, PA/Radnor High School
Julia Borsari brings an extensive athletic background from basketball and soccer to the Duquesne roster. As a senior co-captain for Puis XI basketball for the 2010-11 academic year Borsari helped lead her team to the WIAA State Division 1 Semifinals. That same team won the Classic 8 Conference Championship and the Christine Rathke Memorial Tournament. Julia is a 2010-11 WIAA Pius XI Scholar Athlete and was named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coach Association State All Star Team for 2010-11. As a member of the National Honor Society at Pius from 2009-2011 and a member of the Pius XI Academic High Honor Roll all four of her high school years Julia will not only excel on the water, but in the classroom at Duquesne as well. The coaches are confident that her strong work ethic and dedication will make her an asset to the roster over the next four years.
Emily Gorham has been a four year member of her West Springfield High School team under Coach Mark Hemphill. In her first year Emily finished second in the novice four at the VA State Championships. She has earned her varsity letter 3 out of four years and achieved a personal best erg score her senior year. As a member of the Nationals Honor Society, Japanese National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and an AP Scholar Award winner Gorham will be a force to be reckoned with in the classroom and on the water.
As a first year rower for the Cleveland Scholastic Rowing Association Hannah Mazur earned the title of captain for her novice squad. She was also a member of the women's novice four to win silver at the 2011 Midwest Junior Championships. To continue with the strong academic trend, Hannah is a member of the National Honor Society and will be graduating with an honors diploma from Hudson High School this spring. With the success that Hannah has seen in just her first year of rowing the coaching staff is confident that she will bring a strong work ethic and drive to the team this fall.
Courtney Purslow is a veteran sculler from Greenlawn, NY that has seen a lot of success as a lightweight rower in high school. She earned first place in the lightweight club four at the New York State Championships as well as 2 first place finishes in the women's junior lightweight double at other events. This National Honor Society Member, Italian Honor Society Member, and Future Teachers Clun member plans to major in early childhood education while at Duquesne University. Her experience in every class of shell will make her a very versatile part of the rowing program.
Gretchen Swabe is an aspiring athletic trainer from Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, TN. She is seasoned rower with experience in every seat, aside from the coxswain seat, from Oak Ridge Rowing Association under the coaching of Allen Eubanks. As a freshman Gretchen won gold at the Southeast Rowing Championships in the Novice 8 and has since been a member of her club's varsity eight 2 out of her 3 years on varsity. Gretchen will graduate this spring with a 3.9 GPA and is also a member of her high school's National Honor Society.
Lauren Turner comes to the Duquesne roster as a very accomplished lightweight rower from Rosemont, PA. As a freshman Lauren was a member of the women's freshmen 8 that won gold at the Stotesbury Regatta and took bronze at Scholastic Nationals. Throughout her four years of rowing in high school she saw many other accomplishments that include a 19th place finish in the women's youth four at the Head of the Charles and two first place finishes in the quad her junior year as well as appearances every year at the SRAA National Championship. Her junior quad also went on to finish second at the prestigious Canadian Henley Regatta. As the lightweight captain for her team Lauren has earned three varsity letters and two lightweight hammer awards. In her free time Lauren volunteers at the Lifecare Center of Delaware County. There is no doubt that her leadership and experience will help her and the Duquense team see success in the future.
