Nine Future Tar Heels Sign With Carolina Rowing

CHAPEL HILL – Interim co-head coaches Emilie Gross and Thomas Revelle are pleased to announce the signing of nine Tar Heels to join Carolina Rowing with National Letters of Intent.

"I am thrilled to be able to finally announce my first recruiting class for Carolina," Gross said. "This group of future Tar Heels continues to impress me with how they are facing adversity through COVID and continuing to thrive both in the classroom and in their training. Individually, they are going to bring so much to the table for our team, but collectively, I am expecting big things out of this class. Welcome to the family!"

Cara Cunningham, Ella Gersack, Madison Haller, Maddie Johnson, Chase Pate, Claudia Quintaba, Sarah Redden, Jessica Reynolds and Molly Warden will enroll at UNC in 2021.

Cara Cunningham
Hometown: Rye, New York
High School: Rye High School
Rowing Team: RowAmerica Rye

A five-year team member, Cara Cunningham is a coxswain for RowAmerica Rye with coach Marko Serafimovski. She led her team to a first-place finish in the women's 4+ at Head of the Charles in 2019. Cunningham guided the women's lightweight 8+ to second place in the B Final at Youth Nationals and coxswained the championship boat in the women's lightweight 8+ at NY State Rowing Championships in 2019.

"It was very evident in my discussions with the Carolina coaching staff, students, rowers and coxswains that a hard work ethic in both sports and academics was an expectation and key at UNC," Cunningham said. "I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of. The values of the Carolina rowing team as a whole align perfectly with my morals and my goals for the future, further establishing my certainty of Carolina being the school for me."

A native of Rye, New York, Cunningham is the daughter of Alison and Shane, and has two younger siblings, Mia and Kieran. A member of National Honor Society, Cunningham has completed 220 hours of community service with SPRYE and RowAmerica.

Ella Gersack
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
High School: Walton High School
Rowing Team: Atlanta Junior Rowing Club

A five-year team member, Ella Gersack is a port rower for Atlanta Junior Rowing Association with coach Sarah Low. A top-15 finisher in the women's lightweight 8+ at Youth Nationals, Gersack helped her boat to a top-20 finish in the women's youth 8+ at Head of the Charles in 2019. At Head of the Hooch in 2019, Gersack placed sixth in the 4+ and fourth in the 4x.

"Carolina has great academics and athletics," Gersack said. "I believe I will be challenged and thrive in the rigorous environment."

A Marietta, Georgia native, Gersack is the daughter of Leslie and Bryan, and has one sister, Grace. A member of the global connections club and math honor society at Walton High School, Gersack plans to study mathematics at Carolina.

Madison Haller
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
High School: Cardinal Gibbons High School
Rowing Team: Triangle Rowing Club

A member of the Triangle Rowing Club, Madison Haller is a port, starboard and sweep rower for coach Will White. Earning a gold medal finish at the Head of the South in the novice 8+, Haller also medaled at the First Coast Head Race in the novice 8+ and the 2020 Virtual Southeast Regionals in the 8+. Haller also helped her team to a fourth-place finish at the Head of the Hooch in the novice mixed 8+. At Cardinal Gibbons, Haller was a shooting guard for two years and helped her team to a third place standing in the Cap-7 Conference in the 2018-19 season.

"I chose Carolina because it was exactly what I was looking for in a university and rowing program," Haller said. "There is a perfect combination of world class academic opportunities and a rich athletic history. The strong sense of community and spirit is like no other. Excited to be a Tar Heel!"

A Chapel Hill native, Haller is the daughter of Dan and Tiffany, and has two younger siblings, Kevin and Macie. Her father, Dan, played basketball and volleyball at UC-Davis. A member of the green team and biology club, Haller is also an athletic training student and on the Gibbons gameday leadership team. A National Honor Society member on the all-A honor roll, Haller plans to study biology or business administration at Carolina.

Maddie Johnson
Hometown: Wayne, Pa.
High School: Radnor High School
Rowing Team: Randor Girls Crew Club

A four-year member and three-year letter winner of the Radnor Girls Crew Club, Madelaine (Maddie) Johnson is a port and starboard rower for coach Travis Schilling. In 2019, Johnson helped her team to top finishes at the Navy Day, Frostbite and Braxton regattas in the girls JV8+. She also placed fourth at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in the girls JV8+ in 2019. Serving as a team captain her senior year, Johnson earned the hammer award as a freshman and junior. Johnson also played field hockey for one season as a midfielder and defender at Radnor.

"The first time I visited Carolina," Johnson said, "it was raining and cold, but I fell in love with every aspect of the UNC community and I knew it was a place that, even miles away from my family, I would still feel at home. The focus on academics, with the balance of athletics is important to me, and it was something that really made Carolina stand out."

A native of Wayne, Pennsylvania, Johnson is the daughter of Benjamin and Meghan, and the older sister to Margaret and Meredith. Johnson's grandfather, Bob, played soccer and tennis at Carolina, and her uncle, Richard Johnson, also played tennis for the Tar Heels. Johnson is a volunteer with church outreach and community service events and is a member of Best Buddies, SpeakUp! and the Asian culture club at Radnor. A member of the honor roll and National Honor Society, Johnson plans to study business at Carolina.

Chase Pate
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Athens Drive High School
Rowing Team: Triangle Rowing Club

A member of the Triangle Rowing Club, Caroline Chase Pate is a port and starboard rower for coach Will White. The NC State Champion in the u17 8+ and 4+, Pate helped her team to a first-place finish in the Novice 4x ODP Summer Cup in 2019. Pate also earned podium finishes in the 1V8+ at First Coast HeadRace, 4+ at B ODP Summer Cup, 8+ at the Southeast Regionals and 4+ at the Dogwood regattas. Earning the coaches award in 2017, Pate is a five-time North Carolina State champion from 2017-2019.

"I chose Carolina because of the strong academics and athletes," Pate said. "The campus is incredible and the support and resources for student-athletes is unbeatable."

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Pate is the daughter of Lynne and Clay. At Athens Drive High School, Pate is a member of the tutoring club and is a YGuides Volunteer committee member and Teen Core of Cary Leader. A member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society, Pate earned magna cum laude honors three times and is a Piedmont Cotillions senior student assistant. Pate plans to major in nutrition and minor for the professions.

Claudia Quintaba
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Walnut Hills High School
Rowing Team: Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club

A three-year member of the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club, Claudia Quintaba is a port rower for coach Andrew Piepmeier. Quintaba led her team to a gold-medal finishes in the 1V8 at the Head of the Ohio and Columbus Fall Classic. She also won the 2V4 race at the Columbus Fall Classic. Quintaba helped her boat to a second-place finish in the 2V8 at the Blake Haxton Regatta. Most recently, her team won races at Upper Arlington, Westernville and Dayton this fall. Quintaba is also a two-year member of the Walnut Hills soccer team where she is a midfielder and earned an MVP honor her JV season.

"When I started applying to colleges," Quintaba said, "the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was one of the first on my list. Carolina's rigorous academics, endless list of education and career opportunities and resources, and strong sense of community immediately drew me to the school. Even though I visited campus when most students were home due to Thanksgiving Break or COVID-19, I still felt welcomed and was able to see Carolina's stunning campus."

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Quintaba is the daughter of Alexandra and Silvano, and has a younger sister, Clara. At Walnut Hills High School, Quintaba is a member of mock trial, serving as a team captain and co-president. An AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit commended student, Quintaba plans to study public policy at Carolina.

Sarah Redden
Hometown: Fort Thomas, Ky.
High School: Highlands High School
Rowing Team: Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club

A three-year member of the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club, Sarah Redden is a starboard rower for coach Andrew Piepmeier. Redden led her team to the Midwest Junior Team Championship in 2019. At the 2019 Columbus Fall Classic, Redden helped her team to a first-place title in the JV 8+ and fourth-place finish in the 4+.At Highlands High School, Redden was a swimming letter winner in butterfly and distance freestyle. A three-time Kentucky state meet qualifier, Redden helped her team to a combined state championship title in 2020.

"I chose Carolina because when I walked on campus for the first time, I truly felt at home," Redden said. "The combination of strong athletics, challenging academics, and the overall feel is unmatched."

A native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Redden is the daughter of David and Judith, and has two older sisters, Katherine and Mary Claire who both competed in college athletics. Katherine swam at Ohio University from 2016-2020 and Mary Claire is currently a track & field student-athlete at Western Kentucky. A Kentucky Governor's Scholar, Redden is a member of the math, English, computer science and Spanish honor societies. Also a National Honor Society member, Redden earned the Technology Student Association State Championship title.

Jessica Reynolds
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Academy of the Holy Names
Rowing Team: Academy of the Holy Names Rowing Club

A four-year letter winner at Academy of the Holy Names, Jessica Reynolds is a port rower for coach Alex Thome. A two-year team captain, Reynolds placed third at the sweep states regatta in 2019. Reynolds also competed in lacrosse and basketball at Academy of the Holy Names. She earned first-team all-district honors as a defender in lacrosse.

"I chose Carolina because it's where I felt most at home," Reynolds said. "I absolutely love the teammates and the hard work and dedication that is Carolina Rowing. I fell in love with Chapel Hill the moment I stepped on campus. I can't wait to be a Tar Heel!"

A native of Tampa, Florida, Reynolds is the daughter of Patty and Jeff Reynolds, and has an older brother, Jason. Reynolds is a member of the Key Club, Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. Earning President's Honor Roll accolades, Reynolds plans to major in biology or exercise and health sciences at North Carolina.

Molly Warden
Hometown: Winnetka, Ill.
High School: New Trier High School
Rowing Team: New Trier Rowing

A two-year letter winner at New Trier High School, Molly Warden is a starboard and port rower for coach Rose Marchuk. The team captain won the virtual Midwest Championships in the varsity 8+. Helping her high school team to two conference championships, Warden also earned two varsity letters a long-distance freestyle swimmer.

"I chose Carolina because it has the perfect combination of challenging academics and competitive athletics," Warden said. "I was looking for a positive and supportive team culture, and I can say with certainty that I've found that in Carolina rowing."

A native of Winnetka, Illinois, Warden is the daughter of Kristie and the younger sister of Sam and Hannah. President of the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired teen board, Warden plans to study biology at Carolina.

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