Nova Southeastern University Athletics

AS A SOPHOMORE (2019-20)
In the fall, raced as part of the Sharks’ B boat during the Head of the Indian Creek Varsity 8 Collegiate Championship, pushing to a split-second finish (0.6 seconds) ahead of Barry's B boat to place sixth overall at 16:29.29 on the 4,000m course…Was unable to compete in any spring races, as her sophomore season was cut short with events canceled nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AS A FRESHMAN (2018-19)
Raced with three boats at Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park during the FIRA Championships, delivering fourth-place finishes in two varsity eight races with times of 7:37.82 and 7:46.27, finishing fourth in the freshman/novice eight at 7:46.27 and coming in sixth in 8:43.83 in the freshman/novice four…Finished third both times up during the open four at the Central Sprints in Edmond, Okla., producing a best mark of 9:17.03…Finished second in the exhibition four at the Sunshine State Conference Championships with a time of 8:23.30 – as a team, the Sharks finished in third place.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California…Was a swimmer and rower for the MHS Vikings under coach Stephen Wight…Rowed under coaches Alfredo Montenegro and Peter Graves for Long Beach Junior Crew…In 2016, was the first stroke seat for the varsity four that took home a first-place finish at the LRBA (Long Beach Rowing Associate) Regatta...While rowing with LBJC, earned third in the two seat of the 2015 Southwest Regionals novice quad, was 38th in the 2015 Head of the Charles varsity eight and earned first place in the varsity four at the LBRA Regatta…Earned Seal of Biliteracy as a member of National Honor Society…Asked by the LBRA to induct Pete Archer into the Aquatic Capital of America Hall of Fame.

PERSONAL
Hails from Huntington Beach, California…Majoring in Marine Biology…Daughter of Rick and Rhonda Mello…Has one sibling, Mason…Was active in Girl Scouts for 12 years and won numerous awards…Cites most memorable athletic achievement as finishing third at Regionals in 2015 in the quad, producing a great race despite Novice not permitted to move on to Nationals…Worked as an Exhibit Interpreter at the Aquarium of the Pacific and active in community service – such as Project Shoe, Komen Race for the Cure, American Family Housing Homeless Shelter, military package campaigns, bullying campaigns at K-6, beach cleanups and Operation Christmas Child…Loves the positive atmosphere and friendly people at NSU…Notes her family as her biggest influence because they’re always helping her to become the best person she can be.