6/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
June 26, 2015 
Abbey Bailey (5'7", Erie, PA, Mercyhurst Preparatory School) comes to Duquesne after having rowed for both Cleveland Scholastic Rowing Association and Mercyhurst Prep. In both her sophomore and junior years she attended the CSSRA Championships, rowing in the varsity four as a sophomore. Outside of rowing Abbey is also an Ohio High School Athletic Association All Conference Gymnast. Along with her athletic responsibilities Abbey is a member of National Honor Society, a student peer leader, and has won the first academic honors award. In her free time she volunteers at Hamot Hospital and with the Multiple Sclerosis Society. While on the Bluff the daughter of Lisa and Scott Bailey plans to major in Sociology. 
Sarah Clair (5'4". Pittsburgh, PA, Oakland Catholic High School) has rowed with Oakland Catholic High School under the coaching of Joe Mariuzza for the past 4 years. She has been a member of the varsity eight for the past two years and brought home a bronze medal in that category in her junior year from the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships. Sarah competed in the SRAA Nationals Championships in both her junior and senior years and had the privilege of sitting in stroke seat of the varsity four at the Head of the Charles Regatta in her senior year. The daughter of Steven and Theresa Clair, Sarah will be majoring in Athletic Training in the fall. Mary Clay (5'2", Darby, PA, Archbishop John Carroll High School) is the daughter of Joe and Judy Clay. She comes to the Dukes as a coxswain from the John Carroll program and coach Bill Gennaro. She earned 4 varsity letters in her tenure with John Carroll and led her novice eight to a second place finish at the Philadelphia City Championships in 2012. Mary is also very involved in her school community. She is the current secretary for her National Honor Society, a member of Student Council, as well as a member of her High School Christian Youth Organization holding the title of secretary in 2013, president in 2014, and secretary again in 2015. She is also involved with the Mock Trial team and her School Ministry. While at Duquesne Mary plans to study English. Maggie Cunningham (5'9", Garnet Valley, PA, Padua Academy) joins the Dukes after having rowed for 4 years under Coach Alex Urbanik at Newport Rowing Club. While at Newport Maggie rowed varsity for the duration of her four years and competed at Junior Nationals. She also placed second in the pair at the Head of the Ohio Regatta here in Pittsburgh. Off the water Maggie is an exceptional student who is a member of National Honor Society and Student Council. She is a student ambassador, a contributor to her high school newspaper, and a volunteer at the Hugley's Museum. The daughter of Thomas and Karen Cunningham, Maggie plans to major in Marketing. Lauryn Garretson (6'0", Huntington, NY, Our Lady of Mercy Academy) was a power forward for her JV basketball team and has rowed for Our Lady of Mercy for four years. She has raced in such regattas as the Stotesbury Cup and the New York State Championships, but most recently helped her varsity eight finish second at the Snowflake Regatta. Lauryn is an active member of the OLMA Campus minister and serves as a Eucharistic Minister. She is a member of the Leader's Club, is an OLMA Ambassador and was recognized this year for outstanding academic achievement while participating in interscholastic athletics by the Catholic High School Athletic Association. The daughter of Mary Ann and Jeff Garretson, Lauryn will major in Physical Therapy while at Duquesne. Abigail Guenther (5'3.5", Elizabeth, PA, Elizabeth Forward High School) has been a member of Three Rivers Rowing Association for four years under the coach of Rick Brown and his staff. As a coxswain she helped her crew race to a first place finish at the 2015 Wesley David Memorial Regatta and a fourth place finish at the 2015 Midwest Junior Rowing Championships. The Vice President of her National Honor Society she graduated with High Honors and Academic Distinction. Abbey will major in Forensic Science this fall. Lauren Murray (5'7", Orchard Park, NY, Nardin Academy) is the daughter of Joe and Kathleen Murray. As a varsity member of the Nardin Crew, under Coach Julie Blazick, Lauren has competed at the Head of the Charles Regatta and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta as well as in the New York State Championships and the Scholastic National Championships. During her summers Lauren rows for Coach Bob Becht and the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association with whom she has competed at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Lauren recently won the Prep Talk Player of the Year Award for women's rowing. A strong student in the classroom, Lauren is on honor roll and a member of National Honor Society. She is involved in her school community through the Pep Club, the Science Club, and she is also a Peer Helper. She has taught learn to row programs to younger athletes and has helped coordinate the Girls on the Run 5K for the past 2 years. While on the Bluff Lauren will study to become a Physician's Assistant. Kasie Sayers (5'10", Spring City, PA, Owen J Roberts High School) is the daughter of Carrie and William Sayers. In her tenure at Owen J Roberts under Coach Maria McDevitt Kasie competed in the Head of the Charles and raced at Scholastic Nationals for two years. During the summer while with White Marsh Boat Club Kasie also raced at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. Off the water Kasie is a member of National Latin Honor Society, the Junior Classical League, and is an Honor Roll student. While at Duquesne she plans to major in business. Allie Schmitt (5'9", Clarence Center, NY, Nardin Academy) also comes to the Bluff from Coach Julia Blazick and Nardin Crew. She has raced at the Head of the Charles Regatta and has also raced at the New York State Championships and Junior National Championships for her high school tenure. Strong erg performances have earned her a top 10 finish at the Ontario Ergometer Championships as well as a first place finish at the Shuffle Off to Buffalo Ergatta for two years. As a senior captain she volunteered at the Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Assocation and Habitat for Humanity. She also helped coordinate the Girls on the Run 5K for the past two years and the Million Meter Challenge in 2013. Allie will pursue Criminal Justice while on the Bluff.
Duquesne rowing coach Joe Setting recently announced the signings for the 2015-16 season.
"This is a remarkable group of student-athletes that I expect will make a strong and lasting impact on our team for years to come," commented Head Coach Joe Setting. "Each member brings with them a tremendous amount of racing experience and proven success at the youth level. It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I welcome the future class of 2019 to the Duquesne Rowing family."
Abby Bailey
Sarah Clair
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
/ Women's Rowing
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