University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Add Four to the Program
12/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
University of Minnesota head rowing coach Wendy Davis has announced that Ellen Hughes, Katrina Pichelli, Sarah Sobek and Katrina Becker have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the program next fall.
Ellen Hughes, hailing from Westerville, Ohio, has been rowing since the fall of 2008. Since that time, she competed in the 2008 Midwest Championship and the Youth Nationals. At the Midwest Championships, she was a member of the Varsity Eight that placed third overall, while the Varsity Four was second. At the Youth Nationals, the Varsity Eight Hughes competed with placed 12th. In competition, her V8 medaled in 18 of 25 races. She was recently named the team’s captain this past fall. She lettered in volleyball and softball prior to her switch to rowing. An excellent student, Hughes holds a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society at Westerville Central High School. The daughter of Stark and Mary Hughes, Ellen is interested in a graphic design career.
"Ellen is our second Westerville rower and we are excited to have her join the Golden Gophers,” Davis said. “She's smart, tough and competitive and we have big plans for her here at Minnesota!"
Katrina Pichelli, from Welland, Ont., is an experienced rower with the South Niagara Rowing Club and the Notre Dame College High School team. Pichelli has competed in the Head of the Charles for four straight years and competed for Canada in the CanAmEx Regatta two years. In 2007, Pichelli placed first with the Junior B Four and Junior B Double and second in the Junior Pair at the National Fall Rowing Championships. By both the SNRC and Notre Dame, was named the 2008 Oars Women of the Year. Along with her rowing capabilities, Pichelli has played competitive basketball and was in dance for 10 years. The daughter of Eva Pichelli and Bruno Pichelli, she is interested in studying graphic design.
“Katrina Pichelli brings a strong background in competitive racing situations for Canada,” Davis said. “As soon as she gets her feet on the ground here at the U she will help bring an ‘edge’ to how we compete.”
Sarah Sobek, from Madison, Wis., has competed with the Mendota Rowing Club this year. During that time, she placed fourth in the First Novice Four at the 2009 Head of the Rock 2009. She was also a part of the 1N4 that finished ninth at the 2009 Head of the Hooch, while she and the Novice Eight placed 14th overall. Prior to her time with Mendota, Sobek competed in volleyball, where she was a letterwinner with Madison West High School. Along with her volleyball accomplishments, Sobek was also a member of the Shorewood Swim Club Team from 2004-2008. Along with her athletic abilities, Sobek is a National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Honor Roll- 6 semesters, 2008 Volleyball All-State All-academic honors and a student council member. She’s the daughter of Steven Sobek and Carol Sobek and is interested in studying neuroscience at the U of M.
“Sarah Sobek is new to rowing, having transitioned from volleyball and swimming,” Davis said. “Her fall 5k erg tests are improving at an impressive rate which shows her ability to connect her power to the erg as well as how fit she is as a novice rower. She is going to be a tremendous asset in the coming years.”
Like Sobek, Katrina Becker also competes with the Mendota Rowing Club. Becker started her rowing career this past September after playing volleyball and basketball in high school. This past fall, Becker competed at the Head of the Rock and the Head of the Chattanooga. She is interested in a marketing major.
“Katrina Becker is also new to rowing, starting last summer,” Davis said. “She has a background in basketball and has natural athletic talent. As she becomes more comfortable in the world of rowing she will be a dominant force”
Ellen Hughes, hailing from Westerville, Ohio, has been rowing since the fall of 2008. Since that time, she competed in the 2008 Midwest Championship and the Youth Nationals. At the Midwest Championships, she was a member of the Varsity Eight that placed third overall, while the Varsity Four was second. At the Youth Nationals, the Varsity Eight Hughes competed with placed 12th. In competition, her V8 medaled in 18 of 25 races. She was recently named the team’s captain this past fall. She lettered in volleyball and softball prior to her switch to rowing. An excellent student, Hughes holds a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society at Westerville Central High School. The daughter of Stark and Mary Hughes, Ellen is interested in a graphic design career.
"Ellen is our second Westerville rower and we are excited to have her join the Golden Gophers,” Davis said. “She's smart, tough and competitive and we have big plans for her here at Minnesota!"
Katrina Pichelli, from Welland, Ont., is an experienced rower with the South Niagara Rowing Club and the Notre Dame College High School team. Pichelli has competed in the Head of the Charles for four straight years and competed for Canada in the CanAmEx Regatta two years. In 2007, Pichelli placed first with the Junior B Four and Junior B Double and second in the Junior Pair at the National Fall Rowing Championships. By both the SNRC and Notre Dame, was named the 2008 Oars Women of the Year. Along with her rowing capabilities, Pichelli has played competitive basketball and was in dance for 10 years. The daughter of Eva Pichelli and Bruno Pichelli, she is interested in studying graphic design.
“Katrina Pichelli brings a strong background in competitive racing situations for Canada,” Davis said. “As soon as she gets her feet on the ground here at the U she will help bring an ‘edge’ to how we compete.”
Sarah Sobek, from Madison, Wis., has competed with the Mendota Rowing Club this year. During that time, she placed fourth in the First Novice Four at the 2009 Head of the Rock 2009. She was also a part of the 1N4 that finished ninth at the 2009 Head of the Hooch, while she and the Novice Eight placed 14th overall. Prior to her time with Mendota, Sobek competed in volleyball, where she was a letterwinner with Madison West High School. Along with her volleyball accomplishments, Sobek was also a member of the Shorewood Swim Club Team from 2004-2008. Along with her athletic abilities, Sobek is a National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Honor Roll- 6 semesters, 2008 Volleyball All-State All-academic honors and a student council member. She’s the daughter of Steven Sobek and Carol Sobek and is interested in studying neuroscience at the U of M.
“Sarah Sobek is new to rowing, having transitioned from volleyball and swimming,” Davis said. “Her fall 5k erg tests are improving at an impressive rate which shows her ability to connect her power to the erg as well as how fit she is as a novice rower. She is going to be a tremendous asset in the coming years.”
Like Sobek, Katrina Becker also competes with the Mendota Rowing Club. Becker started her rowing career this past September after playing volleyball and basketball in high school. This past fall, Becker competed at the Head of the Rock and the Head of the Chattanooga. She is interested in a marketing major.
“Katrina Becker is also new to rowing, starting last summer,” Davis said. “She has a background in basketball and has natural athletic talent. As she becomes more comfortable in the world of rowing she will be a dominant force”
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