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Duke Rowing Welcomes Ashlyn to 2024 Signing Class
11/16/2023 2:46:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM – Duke rowing head coach Megan Cooke Carcagno announced the signing of 10-year-old Ashlyn from Team Impact to the 2024 signing class. Ashlyn signed her national letter of intent on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the presence of her family and new teammates.
"I've worked with Team Impact for two years now and have done a lot of work with our other teams," said senior Ryleigh Katstra. "So I was super excited when Ashlyn said that she loved rowing and wanted to be part of our team. It's been great, we've already had a couple of team hangouts to get to know her before her signing day. It's so nice to have her supporting us and also be able to support her during this."
Ashlyn, a native of Durham, N.C., was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor at nine months old and has been undergoing treatment at Duke Children's Hospital ever since. Prior to her official signing, she supported the team by attending early morning practices on Lake Wheeler and hosting a team dinner. Ashlyn prefers cupcakes over cookies, winter over summer and hiking over a day at the beach. Her favorite color is teal and her favorite animal is a cat.
"This is what our team is all about," added Cooke Carcagno. "This is really exciting, not only for Ashlyn and her family, but for our team as well. We can grow and learn from her and I think this is going to be a really, really great fit. I'm pumped for her to have this opportunity and for the team to help her become one of the best Duke rowing athletes possible!"
Ashlyn and the Blue Devils were connected through Team IMPACT, a Boston-headquartered national nonprofit that pairs children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 2,800 children with more than 750 colleges and universities in all 50 states, positively impacting more than 70,000 participating student-athletes.
GET TO KNOW ASHLYN
What are two words to best describe you: Happy and funny
What superpower would you like to have: Water powers
What is your dream vacation: Paris
What is your favorite movie/TV show: The Greatest Showman
Who is your favorite athlete or role model: TBD!
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
"I've worked with Team Impact for two years now and have done a lot of work with our other teams," said senior Ryleigh Katstra. "So I was super excited when Ashlyn said that she loved rowing and wanted to be part of our team. It's been great, we've already had a couple of team hangouts to get to know her before her signing day. It's so nice to have her supporting us and also be able to support her during this."
Ashlyn, a native of Durham, N.C., was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor at nine months old and has been undergoing treatment at Duke Children's Hospital ever since. Prior to her official signing, she supported the team by attending early morning practices on Lake Wheeler and hosting a team dinner. Ashlyn prefers cupcakes over cookies, winter over summer and hiking over a day at the beach. Her favorite color is teal and her favorite animal is a cat.
"This is what our team is all about," added Cooke Carcagno. "This is really exciting, not only for Ashlyn and her family, but for our team as well. We can grow and learn from her and I think this is going to be a really, really great fit. I'm pumped for her to have this opportunity and for the team to help her become one of the best Duke rowing athletes possible!"
Ashlyn and the Blue Devils were connected through Team IMPACT, a Boston-headquartered national nonprofit that pairs children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 2,800 children with more than 750 colleges and universities in all 50 states, positively impacting more than 70,000 participating student-athletes.
GET TO KNOW ASHLYN
What are two words to best describe you: Happy and funny
What superpower would you like to have: Water powers
What is your dream vacation: Paris
What is your favorite movie/TV show: The Greatest Showman
Who is your favorite athlete or role model: TBD!
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
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