June 8, 2004

Head coach Robyn Horner is pleased to announce the addition of five recruits to the Duke Rowing Class of 2008, for a total of 11 incoming rowers. Julia Blessing (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Pioneer), Lia Hart (Vancouver, B.C./Crofton House), Iraina Miles (Victoria, B.C./Glenlyon Norfolk), Sarah Slaughter (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) and Caroline Smith (Rosemont, Pa./Shipley) will join new Blue Devils Katie Bull (Scottsdale, Ariz./Scottsdale Christian Academy), Gwen Coleman (Bollingbrook, Ill. /Choate Rosemary Hall), Emily Herrington (Cambridge, N.Y./Emma Willard), Kate Kearney (Bronxville, N.Y./Bronxville), Elizabeth MacLeod (Wolfeboro, N.H./Noble & Greenough) and Beth Treseder (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman).

"The addition of these five athletes to our incoming class solidifies the depth we are striving for. They each bring athleticism, toughness and race savvy to our squad that will translate to great boat speed next year," said Horner. "We have high expectations for the impact this class will have on Duke Rowing in the next four years. I am really looking forward to seeing them race as Blue Devils."

Blessing is a four-year rower and three-time team co-captain at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. She has been a major part of building the Pioneer rowing team into a force in the state of Michigan. Her drive and persistence has transformed her team into a contender in the U.S. and in Canada.

Hart is a multi-faceted athlete, competing in both sweep and sculling events for Crofton House School and Burnaby Lake Rowing Club in Vancouver, B.C. She began her rowing career little over a year ago and is already one of the strongest athletes in her region. Most recently, she took top honors in the single scull event at the prestigious Brentwood Regatta in British Columbia.

Miles has spent the last season as an integral member of the Victoria City Rowing Club in Victoria, B.C. This spring she stroked the VCRC 8+, 4+ and 2x to victories at the Brentwood Regatta. Also a commanding single sculler, Miles placed fourth in the Jr. B 1x at the 2003 Canadian Henley Regatta. Before joining VCRC, she began her rowing career at the Gorge Rowing Center in Victoria and started the rowing team at her high school.

Slaughter began rowing competitively for the Norwalk River Rowing Association in the fall and has quickly become a core member of the team. Her competitive experience as a high level field hockey player and her physical presence have made the transition to rowing a smooth and successful one.

Smith, a coxswain from the Shipley School, brings her boat handling skills from the mean waters of the Skuylkill River in Philadelphia. A four-year varsity coxswain, she has guided her team into racing the competitive Senior Eight category. Her skill and leadership ability will provide the anchor and voice for this incoming class.