Women's Rowing | March 6, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — Kate Vasey, Lily Henshaw and Kyra Baldassarra have been named the captains of the La Salle women's rowing team for its upcoming season, head coach Kelsey Franks announced.
 
"I am excited to finally share our 2022-2023 captains," Franks said. "Kate Vasey, Lily Henshaw, and Kyra Baldassarra have been chosen by their teammates to lead this team. They are representatives that embody our core values of accountability, joy, selflessness, and growth. Together, these three captains create an immeasurable resource of advocacy and advice for this young team, I could not be prouder of how they have stepped into their leadership roles."
 
Vasey is from Medford, Ore. where she rowed for Rogue Rowing. She was 5-seat in the Women's Varsity 8+ that won the petite final at the A-10 Championships in 2022. Vasey was also a member of the Women's Novice 8+ that took silver at the Dad Vail Regatta in 2021. The runner-up finish was the first time the women's team garnered a podium finish in two decades. Vasey has also excelled in the classroom, as she has posted 3.96 GPA as a Chemistry major.
 
"In Kate Vasey's second year as team captain, the team continues to benefit from her level-headed leadership, ability to lead by example, and excellence in the classroom," Franks said.
 
Henshaw is from Longmeadow, Mass., where she rowed for Pioneer Valley Rowing Club. Henshaw was also a member of the Women's Varsity 8+ in 2022, where she sat 2-seat to help the boat win the petite final. Henshaw and Vasey also worked together in the Women's Novice 8+ at the Dad Vails in 2021 that placed second. Henshaw is studying Marketing with a minor in Digital Art with a 3.54 GPA.
 
"This is also Lily 's second year as team captain," Franks said. "Henshaw brings joy to every practice, gives absolutely every piece of her heart and soul to her teammates as a friend, leader, and rower, and holds herself to a higher standard.
 
Baldassarra is from Homosassa, Fla., where she rowed for South Orlando Rowing Association. Baldassarra has raced in bow seat of the Women's Second Varsity 8+ in 2022 that beat George Mason by over 10 seconds. Baldassarra raced in 6-seat in the Club 8+ that placed 14th out of 46 at the Head of the Schuylkill.
 
Baldassarra is studying Nutrition and has a 3.06 GPA. She plans on pursuing her Master's degree in Dietetics after graduation. 
 
"Baldassarra is a first-year captain, but was unsurprisingly voted into the role by her teammates, as she brings a multitude of experience and resiliency to the table," Franks said. "Kyra's growth on this team is a textbook example of hard work and determination coming to fruition, and she pays it forwards to her teammates every opportunity she gets."
 
All three captains made the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2022.
 
The Explorers open their season on March 25 when they face Jefferson.