Women's Rowing | January 26, 2023
PHILADELPHIA — La Salle women's rowing head coach Kelsey Franks announced the commitments of four student-athletes for the Class of 2023. The four future Explorers each signed their National Letter of Intent during the early signing period last November.
"I could not be more thrilled to finally share our early signing period recruits," Franks said. "These young women bring a new level of experience, speed, and perspective to our team that will be essential to help us forge ahead in our team goals. It was clear from the moment each stepped on campus that this was where they belonged - we are counting down the days until they join us at 20
th & Olney and Boathouse Row!"
Gemma DiRienzo is a rower from Great Falls, Virginia. Over the last three years, DiRienzo has competed for the Langley High School crew team. She helped the team reach nationals as a junior and placed third at states as sophomore. Also during her junior season, she helped the team place first at the Walter Mess Regatta.
DiRienzo has rowed for TBC Racing high-performance team and Resilient Racing during her career placing in numerous fall races. DiRienzo plans to major in business at La Salle.
When asked why she chose La Salle, DiRienzo said, "I like that it is a small university, yet it is still in a major city. I was impressed with the rowing team and admired their support of one another and that they gave back to the community around them. Additionally, something just felt right about the school."
Alexa Kennedy is a rower from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Kennedy has competed with Mount Saint Joseph Academy for the last three years, helping the program win the JV8+ at the Stotesbury and City's Regatta, win the JV4+ at the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta, and place second in the JV8+ at the SRAA Regatta as a junior.
In the classroom, Kennedy has earned First Honors and is a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. She also earned the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Excellence Award. Kennedy plans to major in business/accounting and minor in Spanish at La Salle.
When asked why she chose La Salle, Kennedy said, "When I was there, I knew I would be comfortable and feel at home. The girls are so welcoming and definitely made my decision easier. The coaches also made practice so fun as well as working very hard. The team works very well together. Besides the rowing aspect of La Salle, the classes I went to were something I would like to do. The business school is beautiful and it was somewhere I could see myself furthering my academic career. I know the La Salle is the best choice because of both its athletic and academic prestige."
Meghan Lister is a rower from Roswell, Georgia. Lister has competed with the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association, helping the club place in numerous events over the last four years. This past fall, she helped the AJRA win the youth mixed 8+ at the Music City Head Race as the seven seat and place second in the youth mixed 8+ at Head of the Hooch while in the bow seat.
Lister attends school at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia. She plans to study biology at La Salle.
When asked why she chose La Salle, Lister said, "The passion Coach Franks showed me when I was able to meet her and seeing the facilities at La Salle. I enjoyed how passionate she was about the sport and the excitement she had to grow the program. That was really what I was looking for in a school, a place where I can continue to grow my rowing skills and speed."
Colbee Obermeyer is a rower from Northfield, New Jersey. For the last three seasons, Oberymeyer has rowed for Mainland Regional High School's team, which she helped place second in its state and county championships while also qualifying for the semifinals of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta as a junior.
Obermeyer plans to study nursing at La Salle.
When asked why she chose La Salle, Obermayer said, "I chose La Salle because of the team atmosphere, coaching staff, and this was the place I felt most at home."
