Dec. 21, 2006

Notre Dame, Ind. - University of Notre Dame rowing coach Martin Stone has announced that eight student-athletes have signed national letters as members of the class of 2011. Christina Buckley (Huntington Station, NY/Saint Anthony's), Emily Crosby (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic), Hannah Jackson (Voshon, Wash./Voshon), Megan Keegan (Marietta), Katherine Linnemanstons (Mequon, WI/Divine Savior Holy Angels), Jackie Malone (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood), Carol Ann Michel (Cranbury, NJ/The Hun School) and Elizabeth Peters (Lake Buff, Ill./Lake Forest) will enroll in the fall of 2007.

"I'm very pleased with our recruiting this season and the seven student-athletes that we have signed for next year," head coach Martin Stone says. "I have to give a great deal of credit to my assistants, Joe Schlosberg and Marnie Stahl, who really laid the groundwork and identified this group as a strong fit for Notre Dame.

"Our team also did a good job during the official visits and made a good connection with this group. It's a very strong class for us that help fill our needs for the future. All these rowers have potential for great improvement and growth during their careers. I think that they are all going to be great racers."

2006 Notre Dame Rowing Signees

Christina Buckley Huntington Station, NY/Saint Anthony's

Four-year member of Saint Anthony's Crew Team ... participated in U.S. Junior Women's National Team Development Camp in the summer of 2006 ... rowed in the Junior Four-A and Junior Eight-A boats at '06 Summer Nationals in Indianapolis ... member of Junior Four-A crew that captured gold medal and Junior Eight-A boat that finished third ... led Saint Anthony's to first-place finishes at the Philadelphia Frostbite and Bill Braxton regattas during the fall ... in 2005-06, earned five first-place finishes in eight races and finished third at Scholastic Nationals ... placed second in scholastic race at Head of the Charles ... earned four gold medals during the 2004-05 season ... attended North East Rowing Camp in 2005.

Martin Stone on Christina Buckley: "Christina is a fierce competitor and a great fit for our program. She has experienced great success with her high school program as well as competing within the national program. I expect her to be able to come in and contribute in her first year."

Emily Crosby Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic

Rows for Navesink River Rowing Club ... won scholastic doubles at '06 King's Head Regatta and was second in novice singles during the fall of 2006 ... placed first in women's junior doubles at Schuyville Navy Regatta in spring of '06 ... placed fourth in women's doubles in grand final U.S. Junior National Championship ... earned bid to compete in event after finishing third at Northeast Junior Regional Championship ... took fourth in varsity four race at Cooper Cup Regatta in spring of '06 ... invited to participate in and rode bicycle on a fundraising tour from June-Aug. in '06 across the United States, completing 3,200-mile trip on route that stretched from Savannah, Ga. to Los Angeles, Calif. ... attended U.S. Naval Academy camp in June of 2005.

Martin Stone on Emily Crosby: "Emily has a variety of interests and is a good fit for Notre Dame and our rowing program here. She will enjoy what the University has to offer both in and outside of the classroom."

Hannah Jackson Vashon, WA/Vashon

Experienced rower at the national level ... invited to attend Junior Women's Trials Preparation Camp ... trained at the Junior Women's World Camp at the Craftsbury Rowing Center during the summer of 2006 and competed in the World Trials in a quad ... took second at US Quad trials by .5 seconds ... won the gold medal in varsity four boat at Brentwood College Regatta and was earned silver medal at NW Regional Championships in spring of 2005 ... swam competitively for six years ... spent part of the summer in Ghana, Africa teaching kindergarten to 65 children and painting the school.

Martin Stone on Hannah Jackson: "Hannah's sculling experience at the national level really appealed to us. She is also has varied interests and is very involved in community-service projects."

Megan Keegan Marietta, OH/Marietta

Three-sport athlete who has earned letters in rowing, swimming and track ... as a sophomore, helped novice four boat to goal medal at Midwest Scholastic Championships and bronze medal in the varsity eight race ... the varsity eight boat placed fourth at the Scholastic Nationals ... earned a bronze medal in junior year at Midwest Scholastic Championships ... co-captain of swim team ... secretary of National Honor Society and president of Key Club ... sister Jennifer is a 2006 Notre Dame graduate.

Martin Stone on Megan Keegan: "Megan is a good all-around athlete who has been a very competitive rower and swimmer. She is going to be a great fit for our program here at Notre Dame."

Katherine Linnemanstons Mequon, WI/Divine Savior Holy Angels

All-around athlete who is a standout rugby player ... her club team has won two consecutive national championships ... has been invited to try out for the Midwest and National U-19 teams ... began rowing in December of 2005 ... brother John is a sophomore at Notre Dame ... rows with the Milwaukee Rowing Club.

Martin Stone on Katherine Linnemanstons: "Katherine is a great all-around athlete and has played a high level of rugby in high school. As she continues to develop her rowing skills, she can reach a very high level."

Jackie Malone Dayton, OH/Oakwood

Rows for the Dayton Boat Club ... has considerable experience rowing in US national events ... participated in 2006 US Rowing Nationals ... advanced to semifinals in junior A fours and doubles ... earned a second-place finish in Petite Final of varsity four race at US Rowing Youth Nationals ... finished third at Midwest Championships in same face and was second in Petite Final of varsity eight race ... took third in both the Governor's Cup and Hoover Invitational ... in 2005 her junior B varsity eight boat copped second-place finish at Governor's Cup ... helped junior B varsity eight crew to third-place finish at US Rowing Nationals in 2004, while novice eight boat was second at Midwest Championships ... two-time team co-captain ... AP Scholar with Distinction in '06 ... co-president of National Honor Society ... US Rowing Scholastic Gold Medal honoree.

Martin Stone on Jackie Malone: "Jackie had a strong interest in attending Notre Dame. She has produced some good results over during the past couple of years rowing at national-level events. Jackie will excel both academically and athletically here at Notre Dame."

Carol Ann Michel Cranbury, NJ/The Hun School

A three-sport athlete ... has rowed as a member of high school varsity team for three years ... four-year member of varsity basketball team ... played two years of varsity soccer ... has served as class president for the past three years ... awarded Dwight D. Eisenhower Award in recognition of outstanding character and achievement in May of 2006 ... selected to participate in AP Biology research trip to Costa Rica Rain Forest in June of 2004 ... father is graduate of United States Military Academy ... an older brother rowed at Navy and another is currently on the Yale crew team ... named to the 2006-07 Scholastic Honor Roll recipient.

Martin Stone on Carol Ann Michael: "Carol Ann is a versatile athlete who has excelled in three sports. She has great potential here at Notre Dame because of her athletic skills."

Elizabeth Peters Lake Bluff, IL/Lake Forest

Rows for Lincoln Park Juniors in Chicago ... has been a member of field hockey and lacrosse teams in high school ... began rowing in the summer of 2006 and is a member of club's first varsity eight boat ... helped her varsity eight boat to third-place finish at Head of the Rock ... in dual meets against Loyola Academy and at the Chicago Chase, her boat finished first in both races ... senior class vice president ... recipient of "Community Volunteer of the Year" award by the Lake Forest/Lake Buff Morning Rotary Club ... two-time Presidential Service Award honoree .. tutor for "I Have A Dream" Foundation in North Chicago ... father Gary is a 1983 Notre Dame Law School graduate ... brother Eric is a sophomore member of U.S. Naval Academy crew team.

Martin Stone on Elizabeth Peters: "Elizabeth is a great competitor. She is excited about coming to Notre Dame and I expect that with her background, she will be very involved the community doing various service projects. Elizabeth is looking forward to her student-athlete experience here at Notre Dame."