Completed Event: Rowing versus ACC Championships on May 15, 2026 , , 7th/69 points
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Final
Rowing
vs ACC Championships
Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Lauren Brandmeyer
1/29/2021 2:14:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM, N.C. – Head Coach Megan Cooke Carcagno and the Duke rowing program are excited to announce the addition of Lauren Brandmeyer, who will compete for the Blue Devils in the 2021-22 season.
A native of Rolling Hills, Calif., Brandmeyer competes for the Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) in Marina del Rey, Calif. She earned a silver medal in both the 4+ and 8+ lineups at the 2019 Club National Championships with the Row West racing camp U19 team. At the 2019 San Diego Fall Classic 5000m, she helped MAC's varsity-4 boat win gold while claiming silver in the varsity-8 crew.
Brandmeyer has held board member positions and been an active participant with the Palos Verdes Peninsula National Charity League, a mother/daughter organization that performs community service. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Michael Brandmeyer. Her father, Michael, played baseball at the University of Northern Iowa. She has a sister, Morgan, who currently plays volleyball at the University of Chicago, and a twin brother, Brock, who also rows.
How did you get started in rowing?
LB: I've played every sport you could imagine – softball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc. – but none of the sports compare to the feeling I got from rowing. I signed up for a 'Learn to Row' camp at the start of ninth grade. I absolutely fell in love with the uniqueness of the sport and how amazing it felt to glide across the glassy water, and the rest is history.
Why did you choose to row for Duke?
LB: I chose Duke because of its amazing culture, rowing program and academic rigor. As soon as I stepped foot on the campus, as cliché as it sounds, I knew I wanted to go to Duke. Immediately, the campus felt like home. Meeting the team and watching them practice also made me understand why I knew Duke was for me. The energy throughout practice was electric and contagious, and was something I really wanted to be a part of.
What impact do you plan to make in your four years?
LB: I want to be a leader on the team and do everything I can to help Duke win an NCAA Championship. Seeing the team's culture and drive to win, there isn't any other program that I think deserves it more than Duke rowing, and I hope to be a part of that and help our team progress both on and off the water. Additionally, I am very excited to set high academic goals and work hard to achieve them, emerging from Duke as a lifelong learner.
What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process?
LB: When I watched practice, the chemistry in each and every boat on the water was unmatched. The boats cheered each other on during the pieces to push each other to become the best athletes and people they could be. This set DWR apart from every other school. While the team was doing pieces in 8+, after every piece, smiles radiated across the faces of every seat. Altogether, the team's drive to keep each other motivated and excited to take the next stroke is so amazing, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Not to mention, I loved the philosophy of Duke's coaches. They not only demonstrated their commitment to excellence but also prioritized cultivating the best student-athlete possible. I am so excited to become a Blue Devil!
What did you love about Durham when you visited?
LB: When I visited the campus, I don't remember seeing one face that wasn't smiling. Everyone looked genuinely happy to be there. I loved the multifaceted community – one moment you could be surrounded by Gothic architecture, and the next you could be sitting on a bench encircled by beautiful gardens. I also loved the school pride. When I went to a basketball game, I was in awe at the school spirit and loved the atmosphere they created. In addition, when the recruits went out to dinner with some of the team, I really enjoyed talking with them and can't wait to get to know everyone better!
#GoDuke
A native of Rolling Hills, Calif., Brandmeyer competes for the Marina Aquatic Center (MAC) in Marina del Rey, Calif. She earned a silver medal in both the 4+ and 8+ lineups at the 2019 Club National Championships with the Row West racing camp U19 team. At the 2019 San Diego Fall Classic 5000m, she helped MAC's varsity-4 boat win gold while claiming silver in the varsity-8 crew.
Brandmeyer has held board member positions and been an active participant with the Palos Verdes Peninsula National Charity League, a mother/daughter organization that performs community service. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Michael Brandmeyer. Her father, Michael, played baseball at the University of Northern Iowa. She has a sister, Morgan, who currently plays volleyball at the University of Chicago, and a twin brother, Brock, who also rows.
How did you get started in rowing?
LB: I've played every sport you could imagine – softball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc. – but none of the sports compare to the feeling I got from rowing. I signed up for a 'Learn to Row' camp at the start of ninth grade. I absolutely fell in love with the uniqueness of the sport and how amazing it felt to glide across the glassy water, and the rest is history.
Why did you choose to row for Duke?
LB: I chose Duke because of its amazing culture, rowing program and academic rigor. As soon as I stepped foot on the campus, as cliché as it sounds, I knew I wanted to go to Duke. Immediately, the campus felt like home. Meeting the team and watching them practice also made me understand why I knew Duke was for me. The energy throughout practice was electric and contagious, and was something I really wanted to be a part of.
What impact do you plan to make in your four years?
LB: I want to be a leader on the team and do everything I can to help Duke win an NCAA Championship. Seeing the team's culture and drive to win, there isn't any other program that I think deserves it more than Duke rowing, and I hope to be a part of that and help our team progress both on and off the water. Additionally, I am very excited to set high academic goals and work hard to achieve them, emerging from Duke as a lifelong learner.
What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process?
LB: When I watched practice, the chemistry in each and every boat on the water was unmatched. The boats cheered each other on during the pieces to push each other to become the best athletes and people they could be. This set DWR apart from every other school. While the team was doing pieces in 8+, after every piece, smiles radiated across the faces of every seat. Altogether, the team's drive to keep each other motivated and excited to take the next stroke is so amazing, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Not to mention, I loved the philosophy of Duke's coaches. They not only demonstrated their commitment to excellence but also prioritized cultivating the best student-athlete possible. I am so excited to become a Blue Devil!
What did you love about Durham when you visited?
LB: When I visited the campus, I don't remember seeing one face that wasn't smiling. Everyone looked genuinely happy to be there. I loved the multifaceted community – one moment you could be surrounded by Gothic architecture, and the next you could be sitting on a bench encircled by beautiful gardens. I also loved the school pride. When I went to a basketball game, I was in awe at the school spirit and loved the atmosphere they created. In addition, when the recruits went out to dinner with some of the team, I really enjoyed talking with them and can't wait to get to know everyone better!
#GoDuke
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