NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Will Porter, The Friends of YWC Head Coach of Yale Women's Crew, will welcome nine talented newcomers to New Haven next season, each bringing impressive credentials both on and off the water.
"This is a good recruiting class," said Porter. "There are nine athletes from seven different countries, many with international racing experience. I am excited to welcome all of them to Yale and look forward to seeing them develop as student athletes and people in our system over the next four years. All these athletes have two things in common; they are passionate about their education and rowing."
Chelsea Baker
Sydney, Australia | St Catherine's School Sydney; UTS Haberfield Rowing Club
- Coaches: Tim McLaren and Sam Fennessy
- Highlights: Captain of high school rowing team…National gold medalist schoolgirl eight and competed at the U19 World Championships in the women's eight (2025)…Three-time national gold medalist in 2024: U19 varsity eight, schoolgirl eight, and U19 coxed four…Henley Royal Regatta quarter finalist in 2023.
- Why Yale: "The uplifting, close knit, passionate team culture of YWC fosters a unique environment for both athletic and intellectual growth. Not only this, but the vibrancy of campus and world class coaching made me even more excited to choose Yale!"
Maggie Chein
Dallas, TX. | Episcopal School of Dallas
- Highlights: 2025 Stotesbury Cup Champion (4x)…Ninth at 2025 USRowing Youth Nationals (4x)…12th at 2025 Head of the Charles (4x).
- Why Yale: "I chose Yale because of the community. When I visited, the team felt like a family, and they made me feel welcome right away. Yale is a place where I can push myself in both academics and athletics."
Aidyn Eglington
Burlingame, CA. | Norcal Crew
- Highlights: Second place at 2025 Head of the Charles in varsity four…10th place at 2025 Youth Nationals in varsity four…Second place at 2025 Southwest Youth Regional Championships in varsity four.
- Why Yale: "I chose Yale because of the radiant team culture and dedication to both academics and athletics. I'm so excited to be part of such an amazing community!"
Ewa Grzimek
Berlin, Germany | Neuköllner Ruderclub Berlin
- Highlights: German champion in quadruple sculls…Won national team trials in singles…Has competed at U19 World Championships twice in the W8+ and as a spare.
- Why Yale: "When I visited Yale, I didn't experience one thing I didn't like. The team was so welcoming and nice, and they made the hard workouts look fun. Also, community is very important to me, so l really appreciate how much importance Yale places on community, for example with the residential colleges. The food is amazing as well!"
Sophie Jones
Wellington, New Zealand | Wellington Girls College Rowing
- Highlights: NISSC 2022 Gold U15 8x+...Rowing NZ U19 Development Camp...Wellington Interprovincial Team...Star Boating Club Top High School Rower of the Year...Wellington Girls' College Sports Awards: Sportsperson of the Year finalist, Contribution to Sport finalist, Rower of the Year, Crew of the Year (U17 8+), Rowing & Athletics Honors (2024–2025)...Rowing NZ U18 North Island Team...First U18 4+ North vs South...Maadi: Silver U18 4x+, A-Final U16 4x+, 4th U17 2-, A-Final U17 4+...NISSC: Gold U18 4x+, Gold U16 4x+, Silver U17 8+, A-Final U17 2-, A-Final U17 4+...North Island Club Champs Bronze Women's Intermediate 4x+.
- Why Yale: "I chose Yale because of the opportunity to see my potential in both rowing and academics."
Fay Lange
Sandvika, Norway | Baerum Rowing Club
- Highlights: Won bronze medal in Coupé de la Jeunesse in W u19 2x (2022)…Placed fifth in u19 W 2x World Championships Paris (2023)…Competed in the U19 World Championships W 2x (2024)…Placed seventh in the U19 Championships in the W 1x.
- Why Yale: "I fell in love with Yale during my visit. The sense of community and mentorship, the outstanding facilities and educators, and the rowing team's strong bond and abilities all drew me in. To me, Yale represents an ideal environment for developing both as a student and as an athlete."
Gabriela Tivodariu
Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania | Romanian Rowing Team
- Highlights: 2023 World Rowing U19 Championship- Paris- Gold Medal in JW2…2024 World Rowing U19 Championship- Saint Catharines- Gold Medal in JW2…2025 World Rowing U23 Championship- Poznan- Silver Medal in BW4…2023 European Rowing U19 Championship- Brive-la-Gaillarde- Gold Medal in JW4+…2024 European Rowing U19 Championship- Kruszwica- Gold Medal in JW2 and in JW8+1…2025 European Rowing U23 Championship- Racice- Gold Medal in BW4- and in BMix 8+1.
- Why Yale: "Being an elite rower has taught me to consistently strive for excellence. I chose Yale because I believe it is a place where academic excellence and rowing success come together at the highest level.
Hana Volfova
Tabor, Czechia | VK Jordan
- Coaches: Petr Suchy and Martin Kraus
- Highlights: U19 European Championship (Poland, double scull, third place) and U19 World Championship (Canada, quadruple scull, fifth place); 2024…U23 European Championship (Czechia, eight, first place; and Czechia, mixed eight, third place) and U23 World Championship (Poland, eight, sixth place); 2025…U19 European Championship (Poland, double scull, 3rd place); 2024…U23 European Championship (Czechia, eight, first place; and Czechia, mixed eight, third place); 2025.
- Why Yale: "My first few reasons for Yale were its prestige and results, but after spending a few days there during a visit, I fell in love with the team spirit there. With the atmosphere of support, growing to be your best, and a sense of belonging."
Claire von Metzsch
Piedmont, CA. | Oakland Strokes
- Highlights: Three-year team captain…Three-year Varsity 8+ rower…Varsity 8+ - 11th at National Championships 2024…Varsity 8+ - 14th at HOCR 2024…Varsity 8+ - ninth at HOCR 2025.
- Why Yale: "YWC's electric energy drives me to achieve high academic and athletic goals. The athletes on the team are inspiring role models, and I'm excited to be part of such a tight-knit and supportive community."
