WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Head Women's Rowing Coach Scott Belford has announced the addition of 11 newcomers as part of the first recruiting class in program history as the Hawks prepare to take the water for the first time this fall.

The class consists of student-athletes from five different states, including six from New Jersey.

"This class truly represents the culture and character that we hope to establish for this team," Belford said. "They are extremely academically gifted and athletically driven. I am excited to see the contribution that this founding class makes to Monmouth University and the women's rowing program."

Hailea Anderson
Freshman
Williamstown, NJ 
Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Before Monmouth: Four-year varsity letter winner in rowing at Our Lady of Mercy Academy for head coaches Ray Damico and Jake Labarth … held the position of coxswain … helped her team to a third place finish at the Atlantic County Championships in the women's varsity double … also competed for three years as a member of the track team and two seasons in cross country … member of the National Honors Society and Head of School Honors student.

Personal: Daughter of Steve and Sherri Anderson … intends to major in music industry.

Alayna Degan
Freshman
Woodbine, NJ
Ocean City

Before Monmouth: Competed in rowing at Ocean City High School for head coach Steven Kelly … career top times include 7:50.3 in the 2K, 5:49 in the 1500K and 1:45.3 in the 500m … helped her team win gold at Lake Lenape … competed at the Head of the Charles as a senior … also competed at the Schuylkill River and Stotesbury Cup regattas … also competed in soccer at Ocean City.

Personal: Daughter of Herbert and Laida Degan … intends to major in business or education.

Sherlyn Gonzalez
Freshman
Kearny, NJ
Kearny

Before Monmouth: Varsity letter winner in rowing at Kearny High School for head coach David Paszkiewicz … also competed in club rowing at Passaic River Rowing Association under head coach Fabian Cortes … team placed second at the 2022 Garden State Championship in the lightweight 4 … 2K time of 7:55 … has competed in double, quad and four boats.

Personal: Daughter of Brenda and Herbert Gonzalez … intends to major in Communication.

Grace Hutchinson
Freshman
Moorestown, NJ
Moorestown

Before Monmouth: Competed at Moorestown Rowing Club for head coach Harry Carroll … career top time is 7:32.1 in the 2K … competed at the Head of the Charles, SRAA Nationals, Stotesbury Cup Regatta and Youth Nationals in Sarasota, FL.

Personal: Daughter of Dean and Caralyn Hutchinson … major is undecided.

Samantha LeCrone
Freshman
Preston, MD
The Gunston School

Before Monmouth: Competed in rowing at The Gunston School for head coach Carter Law … enjoys surfing and running … High Honor Student … member of the National Honors Society.

Personal: Daughter of Lynda and David LeCrone … intends to major in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy.

Casey Mastin
Sophomore
Richmond, RI
Chariho

Before Monmouth: Will join the program with four years of eligibility after attending Monmouth as a freshman for the 2021-22 academic year … attended Chariho High School where she graduated in 2021 and competed in basketball, volleyball and softball … four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball and softball … named second team all-division as a senior in volleyball … earned athlete of the week recognition … member of the National Honors Society … high honors student … earned Seal of Biliteracy … Dean's List student her first semester at Monmouth.

Personal: Daughter of Mark and Leah Mastin … majoring in health promotion.

Marissa McKenzie
Freshman
Drexel Hill, PA
Bonner-Prendie

Before Monmouth: Varsity letter winner in rowing at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School for head coach Jonathan Lees … also competed in club rowing at Fairmount Rowing Association under head coach Bill Ernst … 2021 MVR Award recipient and 2019 Freshman Coaches Award … helped team place second at the city championships in the novice four in 2019 … team took second at the city championships, fifth at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and seventh at SRAA nationals in 2021 … member of the National Honor Society … Honors / AP student … received First Honors all four years of high school.

Personal: Daughter of Christine and Michael McKenzie … intends to major in marketing.

Nicole Mercora
Freshman
Yardley, PA
Pennsbury

Before Monmouth: Competed for four years at Princeton National Rowing Association for head coach Sarah Trowbridge … spent two seasons on PNRA novice team and eight seasons on varsity … helped her team earn three first-place finishes at the Bill Braxton Regatta, Mercer Fall Classic and Frostbite Regatta in 2021 … selected to compete at Head of the Housatonic in spring 2021 … member of the National Honors Society at Pennsbury High School … four-year Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Danielle and Tom Mercora … major is undecided.

Kaitlyn Rice
Freshman
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Egg Harbor Township

Before Monmouth: Three-year varsity letter winner in rowing for head coaches Dan Welsh and John Pope at Egg Harbor Township High School … competed in the stroke seat position … helped her team win the Atlantic County Championship and was a bronze medalist at the city championships in the novice eight … novice eight boat was named AC Press Boat of the Year … national qualifier in the varsity lightweight four … gold medalist in the women's single sculls at the Atlantic County Championships … also competed in varsity cross country and was a three-year letter winner and team captain as a senior … placed second in the county and second and third in Cape Atlantic League … member of the National Honors Society … National French Honors Society, Varsity Scholar and earned Seal of Biliteracy in French.

Personal: Daughter of Karen and Glenn Rice … intends to major in secondary education with a focus in mathematics.

Alaina Ruggiero
Freshman
Garland, TX
Homeschool

Before Monmouth: Competed for Dallas United Crew under head coach Amanda Perry … competed as coxswain and won the team novice coxswain award during the 2019-20 season … helped her team place second in the novice eight at the Head of the Oklahoma and Heart of Texas in 2019-20 … placed second at the OKC Invitational in the varsity four in 2021-22.

Personal: Daughter of Tim and Heather Ruggiero … intends to major in health studies.

Keira Yablonsky
Freshman
Rutherford, NJ
Rutherford

Before Monmouth: Competed at Nereid Boat Club for head coaches Zach Spitzer, Jessica Effiert and Ryan Lillis … competed at the Head of the Charles … attended Rutherford High School where she played basketball, volleyball and track and field … Bergen Community College High School Experience Student … National FCCLA Certificate … Fall and Spring NJ FCCLA Medal Winner all four years of high school … FCCLA Winter Newsletter spotlight … Board of Education Award … Honor Roll student … Union School 2018 PTA Presidents Award recipient .. MLK Birthday Committee's Certificate recipient.

Personal: Daughter of Tara Murray … major is undecided.