Completed Event: Rowing at ACC Championships on May 16, 2025 , , 5th/89 points
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Final
Rowing
at ACC Championships
Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Emmy Panagakis
6/27/2023 1:01:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM - Duke rowing will welcome another standout recruiting class to the mix for the 2023-2024 campaign as head coach Megan Cooke Carcagno announced the signing of incoming freshman Emmy Panagakis on Tuesday.
Panagakis recently graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., where she was a four-year member of her school's crew team. The Glenview, Ill., native has competed as a member of the Varsity Eight lineup since her sophomore year. During her junior season, Panagakis stroked the V8 that placed third in the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association (MSRA) Championship and qualified to compete in the 2022 SRAA National Championship in Camden, N.J. She was also named one of 52 All-Midwest Academic Athlete Award honorees for the 2021-2022 season, which recognizes rising senior student-athletes across 64 high school teams who have performed at a high level both athletically and academically.
"Emmy brings a contagious energy to everything she takes on. We are thrilled to have her as part of the next generation of Duke women's rowing" -Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Director Chase Graham.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Emmy Panagakis: I knew Duke was my dream school from the first time I spent time on campus during a visit for my older brother. I was inspired by the beautiful campus, the opportunities this school provides and the enthusiasm that all Duke students share.
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GD: How did you get started in rowing?
EP: I attended a learn to row camp that my school offered during the summer going into my freshman year. Up until that point, I thought I would be playing soccer exclusively in high school. I immediately fell in love with rowing at that camp and joined the team my freshman year. I juggled soccer and rowing for three years but ultimately dedicated myself to rowing full time my senior year.
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GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
EP: My favorite memory was competing at SRAA Nationals my sophomore year. Rowing was still relatively new to me, as my freshman season was interrupted due to the pandemic, and that experience gave me a more complete picture of all that this sport has to offer.
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GD: What impact do you plan to make during your first year at Duke?
EP: I hope to be a contributor on and off the water next year. I look forward to the individual progress that I will make while also seeing the team succeed and being a supportive teammate. Rowing is the ultimate team sport, so I plan to bring positive energy every day to get the most out of myself and my teammates.
GD: What was something about Duke/Durham that surprised you?
EP: I always knew that Duke has a strong sense of school spirit, but it wasn't until I got to campus that I got to see that reality in full force. It is inspiring to see how much pride Duke students have in their school, and I am super excited to be part of that community.
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Quick Facts                                                                       Â
Position in the boat: Port
Hobbies: Running – I ran the 2021 HOKA Chicago Half Marathon, spending time with family and friends, snow and water skiing and reading
Favorite athlete: Alex Morgan
Best advice you've received: Life is 1% what happens and 99% how you handle it
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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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Panagakis recently graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., where she was a four-year member of her school's crew team. The Glenview, Ill., native has competed as a member of the Varsity Eight lineup since her sophomore year. During her junior season, Panagakis stroked the V8 that placed third in the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association (MSRA) Championship and qualified to compete in the 2022 SRAA National Championship in Camden, N.J. She was also named one of 52 All-Midwest Academic Athlete Award honorees for the 2021-2022 season, which recognizes rising senior student-athletes across 64 high school teams who have performed at a high level both athletically and academically.
"Emmy brings a contagious energy to everything she takes on. We are thrilled to have her as part of the next generation of Duke women's rowing" -Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Director Chase Graham.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Emmy Panagakis: I knew Duke was my dream school from the first time I spent time on campus during a visit for my older brother. I was inspired by the beautiful campus, the opportunities this school provides and the enthusiasm that all Duke students share.
Â
GD: How did you get started in rowing?
EP: I attended a learn to row camp that my school offered during the summer going into my freshman year. Up until that point, I thought I would be playing soccer exclusively in high school. I immediately fell in love with rowing at that camp and joined the team my freshman year. I juggled soccer and rowing for three years but ultimately dedicated myself to rowing full time my senior year.
Â
GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
EP: My favorite memory was competing at SRAA Nationals my sophomore year. Rowing was still relatively new to me, as my freshman season was interrupted due to the pandemic, and that experience gave me a more complete picture of all that this sport has to offer.
Â
GD: What impact do you plan to make during your first year at Duke?
EP: I hope to be a contributor on and off the water next year. I look forward to the individual progress that I will make while also seeing the team succeed and being a supportive teammate. Rowing is the ultimate team sport, so I plan to bring positive energy every day to get the most out of myself and my teammates.
GD: What was something about Duke/Durham that surprised you?
EP: I always knew that Duke has a strong sense of school spirit, but it wasn't until I got to campus that I got to see that reality in full force. It is inspiring to see how much pride Duke students have in their school, and I am super excited to be part of that community.
Â
Quick Facts                                                                       Â
Position in the boat: Port
Hobbies: Running – I ran the 2021 HOKA Chicago Half Marathon, spending time with family and friends, snow and water skiing and reading
Favorite athlete: Alex Morgan
Best advice you've received: Life is 1% what happens and 99% how you handle it
Â
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
Â
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