Temple University Athletics
Women's Rowing Has Five Sign National Letters of Intent
11.20.15 | Women's Rowing
PHILADELPHIA -- Temple women's rowing head coach, Rebecca Smith Grzybowski has announced the signing of five recruits to national letters of intent. Alex Defuso, Stephanie Hartman, Giana Johnson, Emily Kiehn, and Jennifer Schreiber will join the Owls for the 2016-17 season.
"We are thrilled to welcome Alex, Giana, Steph, Emily and Jen to Temple and to our team," said Grzybowski. "It was evident throughout the recruiting process that they are all high achievers from very competitive backgrounds. Their intensity, drive and athletic ability will make a significant impact on our overall depth and speed."
Alex Defuso is a 5-10 rower from Winter Garden, Fla. Her boats have finished as high as second place in the state, and also finished first in the southeast region in 2014. Defuso also finished third as part of a relay team at Southern Sprints League Indoor Rowing Championship. An accomplished student, she is an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and the Present of the West Orange Chapter of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society. Defuso intends to major in Business or Law at Temple.
Why Temple? "The team and coaches! The first time I met with Coaches Alyssa and Rebecca, I immediately hit it off with them and saw myself being coached by them at the collegiate level. When I was fortunate enough to be invited back by them for an official visit, I met the team and just clicked with them too. When the end of my official came, I didn't feel like I was supposed to be getting on a plane and flying home." - Alex Defuso
Stephanie Hartman is a 6-0 rower from Douglas, Mass. At Worcester Academy, she was a two-time Rowing MVP and was also named team captain for her senior year. Hartman was a four-year member of the first varsity boat in high school, and was also a four-year letter winner in soccer. In the classroom, she has been on the Headmaster's List and Honor Roll twice, and intends to major in Chemistry at Temple.
Giana Johnson is a 5-9 rower from Mays Landing, N.J.. A four-year rower for Oakcrest High School, she received her team's Hammer Award for three-straight years. A National Honor Society Member, as well as a Distinguished Varsity Scholar, Johnson intends to be Pre-Med at Temple.
Emily Kiehn is a 5-9 rower from Cheswick, Pa. who attends Fox Chapel Area High School. She has been a member of the first varsity eight boat for the past two seasons, with her crews recording numerous top-10 finishes, including fifth at the Midwest Championships. As a sophomore, she helped her JV four qualify for Scholastic Nationals, where they placed ninth overall. Kiehn participates in choir and her school's musicals, and intends to major in English and Foreign Studies at Temple.
Why Temple? "I loved the rowing team-all of the coaches and girls were really kind and welcoming! The campus and the programs are amazing too, and I knew once I stepped into Philly it was going to be a good fit." - Emily Kiehn
Jennifer Schreiber is a 5-6 rower from Clarendon Hills, Ill. She rows for both Saint Charles Rowing Club and Hinsdale Central, where her crew finished as the second fastest Junior Women's V4+ boat in the Midwest. A dean's list and honor roll student, she hopes to major in Childhood Education at Temple.
Why Temple? "The incredible rowing team, the city of Philadelphia, the academics. I feel that I will be the most successful at Temple." - Jennifer Schreiber
"We are thrilled to welcome Alex, Giana, Steph, Emily and Jen to Temple and to our team," said Grzybowski. "It was evident throughout the recruiting process that they are all high achievers from very competitive backgrounds. Their intensity, drive and athletic ability will make a significant impact on our overall depth and speed."
Alex Defuso is a 5-10 rower from Winter Garden, Fla. Her boats have finished as high as second place in the state, and also finished first in the southeast region in 2014. Defuso also finished third as part of a relay team at Southern Sprints League Indoor Rowing Championship. An accomplished student, she is an AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and the Present of the West Orange Chapter of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society. Defuso intends to major in Business or Law at Temple.
Why Temple? "The team and coaches! The first time I met with Coaches Alyssa and Rebecca, I immediately hit it off with them and saw myself being coached by them at the collegiate level. When I was fortunate enough to be invited back by them for an official visit, I met the team and just clicked with them too. When the end of my official came, I didn't feel like I was supposed to be getting on a plane and flying home." - Alex Defuso
Stephanie Hartman is a 6-0 rower from Douglas, Mass. At Worcester Academy, she was a two-time Rowing MVP and was also named team captain for her senior year. Hartman was a four-year member of the first varsity boat in high school, and was also a four-year letter winner in soccer. In the classroom, she has been on the Headmaster's List and Honor Roll twice, and intends to major in Chemistry at Temple.
Giana Johnson is a 5-9 rower from Mays Landing, N.J.. A four-year rower for Oakcrest High School, she received her team's Hammer Award for three-straight years. A National Honor Society Member, as well as a Distinguished Varsity Scholar, Johnson intends to be Pre-Med at Temple.
Emily Kiehn is a 5-9 rower from Cheswick, Pa. who attends Fox Chapel Area High School. She has been a member of the first varsity eight boat for the past two seasons, with her crews recording numerous top-10 finishes, including fifth at the Midwest Championships. As a sophomore, she helped her JV four qualify for Scholastic Nationals, where they placed ninth overall. Kiehn participates in choir and her school's musicals, and intends to major in English and Foreign Studies at Temple.
Why Temple? "I loved the rowing team-all of the coaches and girls were really kind and welcoming! The campus and the programs are amazing too, and I knew once I stepped into Philly it was going to be a good fit." - Emily Kiehn
Jennifer Schreiber is a 5-6 rower from Clarendon Hills, Ill. She rows for both Saint Charles Rowing Club and Hinsdale Central, where her crew finished as the second fastest Junior Women's V4+ boat in the Midwest. A dean's list and honor roll student, she hopes to major in Childhood Education at Temple.
Why Temple? "The incredible rowing team, the city of Philadelphia, the academics. I feel that I will be the most successful at Temple." - Jennifer Schreiber
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