Nicole Baliszewski
Egg Harbor City, New Jersey/Egg Harbor Township HS
Egg Harbor Township Crew/Coach Dan Welsh
Nicole Baliszewski is a small-town girl from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. She began rowing her freshman year of high school because her parents forced her to join a sport. Little did she know, four years later she would fall in love with the sport and be rowing on a collegiate level. Under coach Dan Welsh, she won gold at Garden State Championships, gold at Atlantic County Championship and bronze at Philadelphia City Championships this past season in the Varsity+ category. Her boat also qualified for the Stotesbury National Regatta final, which placed sixth. The boat made the petite final at the SRAA National regatta where they ranked ninth in the nation.
"I chose NSU because as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew that is where I belong. The coaches and team members all welcomed me with open arms and treated me as if I were already part of the team. The academics are excellent and I am very excited to be studying psychology for the next four years. I aspire to be like the plethora of great athletes that are rowing for NSU already and will work diligently to become one of them." |  |
Kelsey Field
Ferndale, Michigan/Seaholm HS
Detroit Boat Club/Coach David Macon
Kelsey Field hails from Ferndale, Michigan where she was ranked with the second fastest erg time on her team at the Detroit Boat Club. Known for her team work and adaptability, Field looks forward to bringing those same qualities to the team at NSU. She can't wait to be a part of a national championship holding team and hopes to help the team earn a nation title again in the future.
"I chose Nova because of the great marine biology program, it's beautiful location and the chance to row on a nationally competitive NCAA team." |  |
Paige Foti
Arlington, New York/Arlington HS
Arlington Crew/Coach Paul A. Stasaitis
Throughout her senior year, Paige Foti rowed stroke seat of a Varsity Senior-4 for the fall season. This four rowed at Head of the Charles and reached the team's goal of placing in the top 75 percent. Foti also stroked a V8 for the spring season. During the spring season, the eight placed as one of the top five schools at the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships, sending them to Nationals. At two local regattas, The Dutchess Cup and Hudson Valley Rowing League Championships, the team maintained its title as champions for the third year in a row. Foti is excited to become a Shark at NSU in the fall and meet new people as well as explore different major options. She looks forward to becoming close to her teammates on the rowing team and be a part of the crew family.
"I chose Nova because I'm undecided in my major and the school offers plenty of potential majors and career options for me. I was also impress with how innovative the campus is and look forward to the warm Florida climate compared to New York." |  |
McKenzie George
Loveland, Ohio/Loveland HS
Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club/Coach Andy Piepmeier
Former Cincinnati Junior Rower, McKenzie George, will be a fresh face on NSU's rowing team this fall. She brings a three-year varsity experience after landing her spot in the varsity-8+ her first year on the team. For her senior campaign she was elected team captain. McKenzie recently led her boat to fourth in the women's V8+ at the Youth National Championship. She will add to the team's commitment and leadership over her years.
"I am very lucky to have found such an amazing school, team and community to be a part of the next few years. I'd like to thank my previous coaches (Andy, Amanda, and Alexis). I cannot wait to work with my new coaches and see what these next few years hold for me and the team! Go Sharks!"" |  |
Marnie McLean
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada/St. Paul's Catholic HS
St. Paul Catholic HS Rowing Team/Coach Wernher Verbraeken
Marnie McLean is an accomplished sculler from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Her most recent success came from rowing at St. Paul HS under coach Wernher Verbraeken. At St. Paul, Marnie received a bronze medal in the 4x at both American and Canadian Nationals, as well as placing 10th in Canada in the 1x. She also rows for the St. Catharines Rowing Club, for coach Kathy Boyes. Under Boyes' guidance, Marnie was a member of many gold medal crews in the 8+ and 4+.
"I chose NSU because both the rowing team and school are a perfect fit for me. The combination of the rigorous academic curriculum and a fantastic rowing team made me feel at home immediately.
I am excited to be part of a team that has such great athletes. I hope to help them maintain the culture of winning that they have worked so hard to develop. GO SHARKS!!" |  |
Lucy Schwartz
Denver, Colorado/Cherry Creek HS
Mile High Rowing Club/Coach Grace Malacrida
Lucy Schwartz is a freshman from Denver, Colorado and is excited for the change in weather and water at NSU. She started rowing for Mile High Rowing Club in the spring of her junior year. This past season, Lucy and her teammates qualified in the women's lightweight-8 to compete at the USRowing Youth Nationals regatta. Schwartz is looking forward to her time at NSU, where she will be studying as a psychology major. She can't wait to row with the team and make lasting friends through school.
"I chose Nova because I fell in love with the campus when I visited. It had everything I wanted—excellent academics, a beautiful campus and great rowing team." |  |
Rayna Stuart
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada/St. Andrews Regional HS
St. Andrews Rowing Academy/Coach Alia Zawacki
Rayna Stuart began her rowing career with the St. Andrew's Rowing Academy in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In this time, Stuart won one silver and two gold medals at the Canadian HS Rowing Championships. This past season, Stuart was selected as a member of Team BC for the Canadian National Championships. During her last year of high school rowing, Stuart was recognized as a leader and role model to the junior rowers in the academy. Stuart has gained knowledge and valuable experience in pushing herself during training and in races. In the upcoming season as an NSU Shark, Stuart hopes to expand her horizons and gain exposure of what it takes to be a top level varsity athlete. Stuart is excited about embracing the culture at NSU and how the team and season unfolds.
"I chose Nova because I want to explore my options, push my limits and experience a new life. Nova will be a pathway to help me grow, learn, and it best fits me." |  |
Sarah Woelfer
Fishers, Indiana/Purdue/Hamilton Southeastern HS
Purdue Rowing/Coach Kurt Butler
Sarah Woelfer brings Big Ten Collegiate rowing experience to NSU. On the V8 squad for Purdue, the team finished second at SIRA's, third at ACRA's and fifth at Dad Vails in 2015. At Lubber's Cup, the Purdue women took the overall team points trophy. Woelfer was voted the Most Valuable Rower by her Purdue teammates and was selected to the All-Regional Team at ACRA's and received All-American honors this past season.
"I am excited to be offered the opportunity to be a member of such a well-respected rowing program. I look forward to attending Nova as a graduate student this fall and contributing to the continued success of the rowing program. Go Sharks!" |  |
