HAMILTON – Colgate women's rowing head coach Brittany Adell is thrilled to announce 12 additions to her squad heading into the 2018-19 season.
 
The incoming Raider Class of 2022 is made up of Christina Bigger, Rose Corcoran, Anna Duerr, Isabel Gephart, Alexandra Hopkins, Veronica Kikena, Kylie Kroes, Piper Robinson, Gabrielle Sorresso and Logan Sundberg. Two additional newcomers -- Katie Brunell and Julia McQueen -- are part of the Class of 2021.
 
"We are excited to welcome this recruiting class to our Colgate Rowing family," Adell said. "They bring with them accolades from their academic and athletic accomplishments. I know they will make a positive impact both on the water and on campus."
 
Read below for more on this year's newcomers.
 
Christina Bigger – Colorado Academy – Denver
Christina Bigger rowed nine seasons with Mile High Rowing Club. She attended Youth Nationals as part of the varsity 8+ and the Junior National Team Development and Small Boat Development Camps. In addition to rowing, Bigger played varsity soccer for two seasons for Colorado Academy, where she was voted the team's Defensive MVP. When she is not playing sports, Bigger spends her time singing in the school choir, hiking or playing with her dog, Henley. Bigger plans to major in neuroscience and psychology at Colgate.
 
Bigger: "I chose Colgate because every single person I talked to said they couldn't possibly love it more. The community is crazy strong, and when I visited, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of it. It's just so easy imagining Colgate as my home, and I cannot wait to create a life there over the next four years."
 
Katie Brunell – Transfer from Trinity (Conn.) – Savage, Minn.
A graduate of St. Paul Academy, Katie Brunell was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school, participating in cross country, alpine skiing and track and field. Brunell skied for Buckhill Ski Racing Team. She holds two state showings and is a five-time All-Conference athlete in alpine skiing. Brunell began rowing at Trinity College in Connecticut during her freshman year before deciding to transfer to Colgate, where she intends to major in Political Science.
 
Brunell chose Colgate because it is a "DI school with a DIII feel."
 
Rose Corcoran – Manhasset High School – Manhasset, N.Y.
Rose Corcoran rowed for Manhasset High School and Community Rowing (CRI). She has a collection of medals from the New York State Championships and SRAA National Championships. Corcoran finished fourth at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, fifth place at Club Nationals, eighth place at Youth Nationals and has competed at the Head of the Charles for three years. She earned the Coaches Award for 2015 and 2016, and then in 2017 she was named MVP. Corcoran brings in many academic accomplishments, including US Rowing Scholastic Honor Roll, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Corcoran will be majoring in International Relations and minoring in Computer Science, and she has a twin brother attending Bucknell.
 
Corcoran: "I chose Colgate for the incredible academics, beautiful campus, and personal, lasting relationships with professors. But what attracted me most was the welcoming community and immense pride students have for Colgate, and I am thrilled to become a part of such an amazing team and university."
 
Anna Duerr – Stillwater Senior High School – Stillwater, Minn.
Anna Duerr coxed on the Mississippi River and comes to Colgate with both coxing and rowing experience. Duerr held the role of President of National Honor Society at Stillwater Senior High School. She earned a varsity letter in community service and she enjoys bee keeping and rock climbing in her free time. Duerr intends to major in Environmental Biology at Colgate.
 
Duerr: "I chose Colgate because of its stellar academic programs (specifically its pre-med advising), location, and Division I status because when I'm not out on the water I love to watch hockey!"
 
Isabel Gephart – Ithaca High School – Ithaca, N.Y.
Isabel Gephart comes to Colgate as a coxswain with experience both rowing and coxing at Cascadilla Boat Club for the past four years. In addition to rowing and school, she enjoys being outside, traveling, and spending time with friends.
 
Gephart: "I chose Colgate because I love the school spirit, the environment and the beautiful campus."
 
Alexandra Hopkins – St. Andrew's School – Princeton, N.J.
Alex Hopkins, born in Singapore, comes to Colgate after spending most of her life in Princeton, New Jersey. Completing her high school years at the St. Andrew's School in Delaware, she began rowing her freshman year. Hopkins was a member of both varsity cross-country and varsity swimming. Hopkins also was the leader of the Environmental Club, nutrition group and adapted aquatics community service program. She was the residential leader of the junior girls dorm at St. Andrew's. Hopkins intends to major in molecular biology to prepare her for study in human nutrition down the road.
 
Hopkins: "I chose Colgate primarily for the openness of the professors and faculty and the way this allows students to construct a unique, personalized academic experience. On top of the openness of the professors, I also chose Colgate for the care and commitment that the entire community has to create a supportive environment."
 
Veronica Kikena – Forest Hills High School – Queens, N.Y.
Veronica Kikena was born and raised in New York City. As a student at Forest Hills High School, Kikena was involved in many clubs including the Med-Bio Club and Key Club, where she enjoyed the opportunity to give back to her community. Kikena learned to row with RowNY Queens. She was on the honor roll all four years of high school, a member of the President's Education Awards Program in recognition for academic excellence, and earned academic excellence awards in biology, mathematics and social studies. In 2018, she was awarded the St. John's University Women in Science Award. Kikena plans to continue her studies in science at Colgate.
 
Kikena: "I am ecstatic to continue and fuel my passion for learning and growing as a part of the Colgate community."
 
Kylie Kroes – Northwood School – Lake Placid, N.Y.
Kylie Kroes comes to Colgate as multisport student-athlete with experience playing soccer, ice hockey, golf, rowing and track and field. Kroes recently finished her hockey career as part of the winningest team in Northwood School history (34-16-6), ranking fourth nationwide among independent schools. Kroes contributed 8 goals and 22 assists during her senior campaign. Academically, Kylie has taken on a senior course load of all AP level classes. When she isn't playing a sport, Kylie enjoys being active and spending time outdoors.
 
Kroes: "I chose Colgate because I loved the atmosphere it brought and the community it offered." Kylie plans to major in Biology at Colgate.

Julia McQueen – Seminole High School – Seminole, Fla.
Julia Queen is a rising sophomore at Colgate, making the switch from softball to rowing this fall. McQueen was a captain of the Seminole softball team her senior year. She also brings academic accolades as a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Key Club, Rho Kappa and Mu Alpha Theta. McQueen plans to major in Political Science and International Relations.

McQueen: "Being a Raider gives you countless opportunities, both as a student and graduate, and introduces you to the greatest group of people on any campus. Everyone at Colgate wants you to succeed and there's no other place like it."

Piper Robinson – Colorado Academy – Denver
Piper Robinson began rowing her sophomore year of high school for Mile High Rowing Club. Robinson was named the Most Valuable Rower after her first season. She was named captain her senior year. Robinson is a multisport athlete, involved in both swimming and volleyball. She is interested in majoring in Neuroscience.
 
Robinson: "I chose Colgate for the great atmosphere that the campus and people provide."
 
Gabrielle Sorresso – Yorktown High School – Arlington, Va.
Gabrielle Sorresso comes to Colgate as a former lightweight rower shifting into the role of coxswain during the spring season due to injury. Sorresso was named a captain for her senior season. In 2017, she was awarded the Sportsmanship and Excellence Award at the Yorktown Athletic Banquet after being named "Most Improved" on her cross country team. In addition to her athletic achievements, Sorresso is a member of the National Honor Society and a recognized AP scholar. She intends to major in Economics and Political Science at Colgate.
 
Sorresso: "This year due to nerve damage to my back, I began coxing. I have enjoyed this experience immensely and cannot wait to continue my career as a coxswain at Colgate. Go Raiders!"
 
Logan Sundberg – Wayland High School – Wayland, Mass.
Logan Sundberg has coxed for seven seasons for Wayland-Weston Rowing Association. Sundberg brings great racing experience, from U.S. Club Nationals, to the Saratoga Invitational to the Head of the Charles Regatta. Off the water, Sundberg is an avid ski racer. With 11 years of experience, she was the captain for both Wayland High School and her club team in New Hampshire. Sundberg excels academically and is a member of the National Honors Society, earning High Honors all four years of high school.
 
Sundberg: "I chose Colgate because of the wonderful sense of community that I felt on campus, not to mention the beauty and the wide range of opportunities that Colgate offers and that I can be a part of!"