LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions women's rowing team is welcoming 15 women onto campus this fall, coming to the Bluff from all over the country and world.
"I am so excited for this class of recruits to arrive on campus," said Director of Rowing and Women's Head Coach
Karl Huhta. "This group has a range of experience, and we anticipate them to help fill gaps and add depth to all parts of our roster. They are great human beings that are creative, supportive, hardworking, and inspiring, and it has been such a joy to get to know them all through this process. With their great attitudes, we are eager for the year to come, and what the future holds years from now. We can't wait to get started. Go Lions!"
Alexandra "Z" Anderson comes to Los Angeles from Chicago, Illinois, and currently rows for Chicago Rowing Foundation. Her favorite rowing memory is a recent one from the American Youth Cup in 2021, where she and her crew earned a gold medal in the Women's Open 8+. Anderson plans to study Computer Science and Sociology at LMU.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because it stood out to me as a well-rounded school from the jump. From the first email conversation I had with Coach Eric, I had a gut feeling that LMU was special. The academics are challenging, and the athletics are perfect for what I was looking for. Also, the boathouse has seals!"
Caroline Bernal joins the Lions from San Jose, California, and rows for Los Gatos Rowing Club. She has raced internationally at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, and she intends to major in Communications.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because of its Jesuit and Marymount values and it's approach to education. The Jesuit ideal of Magis and striving for more speaks to me and my wishes to improve myself for others. Being able to strive for more allows me to seek majors and interests that span across the LMU campus, leading me to become a more well-rounded citizen of the world. I am so excited to be a part of the Pride and discover my own unique LMU experience alongside the women's rowing team!"
Rachel Carrasco hails from Brisbane, California, where she rows for Pacific Rowing Club. She helped her club's 8+ secure a spot in the A final at Southwest Regionals in 2019. Carrasco will major in Psychology while here on the Bluff.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU for the strong and supportive community! I am very excited to be able to continue rowing with a group of positive and motivated people."
Alessia DeVita is one of several Californians joining us this year, hailing from Tustin, California where she rowed out of Newport Aquatic Center. DeVita earned a silver medal in the JV8+ this year when she and her team traveled to Oklahoma to compete in Central Regionals. She also went undefeated in her teams' lightweight 8+ during the 2019-2020 season. She will be majoring in Health and Human Sciences.
Why LMU? "We get to row year-round in the best part of the country!"
Lauren Ewanick joins the Lions from Newport Beach and currently rows for Long Beach Junior Crew. Ewanick spent the summer of 2018 competing for Community Rowing Inc. in Boston, where she placed first in the U17 8+ at Royal Canadian Henley. She plans to major in International Relations and Affairs.
Why LMU? "LMU has a great International relations program, and I love the smaller class sizes. I also love the team!"
Noni Maccallum is coming to the Bluff as a transfer, originally from Adelaide, South Australia. She currently holds one world record and five Australian records on the Concept 2 erg, in addition to her many great race results on the water. Maccallum will be majoring in Communications at LMU.
Why LMU? "It's a growing team that has the potential to do really well and I would love to be a part of that."
Kalana Ortega Hoefner is a local from Santa Monica, California. She spent her high school years in Marina del Rey coxing for Marina Aquatic Center, but recently lead the U19 8+ at Row West to a silver medal at USRowing Club Nationals this summer. Kalana is planning on majoring in Environmental Science while at LMU.
Why LMU? "Many things about LMU impressed me; along with great academics, I was inspired by the team's positive attitude and supportive yet competitive culture. The women's rowing team is consistently taking steps to be faster on the water and I am excited to join a team with so much drive and passion. Walking onto campus for the first time- I knew it was exactly where I was supposed to be."
Georgina Pollard joins the Lions from the UK, where she rowed for Henley Rowing Club. Pollard represented Great Britain and beat France in the 4x, has won Henley Women's Regatta in the 4x and placed second in the 8+. She has also competed at Henley Royal Regatta. Pollard intends to major in Environmental Science.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU as I instantly loved the drive and ethics of the crew; the supportive team atmosphere and family feel of all the rowers. The school culture and academic opportunities of my course were perfect, and I couldn't imagine a better setting. I am super excited for the morning rows on the Marina and can't wait to be a Lion!!"
Josie Runyan comes up the coast to Los Angeles from San Diego where she rows for San Diego Rowing Club. She started rowing in 2016, and she loves being around the water, whether she's rowing or surfing. Runyan intends to major in Biology.
Why LMU? "I choose LMU because of the amazing support from the coaches and the school. Both welcomed me with open arms and made me feel as if I was more than a name on a roster."
Ana Scott joins us on the Bluff from Seattle, Washington, after rowing with Green Lake Crew. She has had multiple top half finishes at the Head of the Charles Regatta, and her 8+ finished 13
th at Youth Nationals this past season. Scott intends to study Spanish.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because I was lucky enough to get to visit the campus on an unofficial visit before COVID hit last year. After getting to meet the team and the coaches LMU just clicked for me as the place I wanted to go to school."
Katrin Souza comes to Los Angeles from Seattle, Washington, where she rows for Green Lake Crew. Souza and her 8+ recently placed 3
rd at Northwest Regionals and went on to compete at Youth Nationals. She will be majoring in Economics while at LMU.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU for the well-rounded opportunities to both row on a team that provides both a competitive and supportive environment, and to also receive an amazing education that will help me reach my future goals."
Bella Valdes-Houghton hails from Bethesda, Maryland, and rows for Walt Whitman High School. Valdes-Houghton's 8+ placed 2
nd and 3
rd in 2019 and 2021 respectively at Stotesbury Regatta, and was the fastest public school 8+ at Youth Nationals in 2019. She plans to study Film and Television Production at LMU.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because I want to continue my passions of rowing and film into college. After speaking with the coaches and learning about the team atmosphere I knew LMU would be the perfect fit."
Yvonne Vu-Talarico comes to LMU from St. Ignatius Prep in San Francisco, where she has coxed for three years. Yvonne has been the top coxswain on her team, but before that she was a figure skater. She will be majoring in Business while on the Bluff.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because it offers me a chance to pursue my academic and athletic interests in a community that prioritizes the education of the whole person on and off the water."
Lillian Wanninger is one of our Northern California locals, coming to the Bluff from Marin County. She rowed for Marin Rowing Association, where her 8+ was undefeated in 2019. Wanninger loves being outside, especially when she's surfing or hiking around the Bay Area. She intends to study Business.
Why LMU? "I choose LMU for the community. I noticed the most important element to LMU is creating changemakers; people who will go into the world and do good. LMU also caught my eye because of the location and I couldn't think of a better place to row!"
Mischa Webber hails from Seattle, Washington, where she rows for Holy Names Academy. Webber was a competitive volleyball player before she decided to switch to rowing in her Junior year. She will major in Political Science at LMU.
Why LMU? "I chose LMU because it has a political science program that I know I can thrive in."
