Completed Event: Rowing at ACC Championships on May 16, 2025 , , 5th/89 points
/
Final
Rowing
at ACC Championships
Duke Rowing Recruit Spotlight: Avery Packard
7/20/2023 2:04:00 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 Avery Packard on Thursday.
Packard joins the Blue Devils from Brookline, Mass., and attended Brookline High School. The incoming freshman competes for the Cambridge Boat Club, where she collected numerous medals in the women's 2x, including gold in the 2022 Head of the Charles and silver in the 2023 Youth National Championship. Packard was recently selected to represent the United States in the women's double sculls at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championship in Paris, France August 2-6. She claimed her spot on the 53-person roster of the U19 National Team after a convincing first-place finish in the double sculls race at the National Team Trials in Sarasota, Fla., in June. Packard and her teammate clocked a time of 7:24.60, finishing more than seven seconds ahead of the second-place boat from Redwood Scullers rowing club.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Avery Packard: I chose Duke because it has the perfect mix of academic and athletic excellence!
Â
GD: How did you get started in rowing?
AP: I learned to row in 7th grade at Community Rowing (CRI) and was inspired by how much of a positive impact the sport had on both my parents and my older brother.
 Â
GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
AP: My favorite rowing memory is from this past fall when my dad, who was volunteering at the
awards tent, gave me my medal at Head of the Charles.
Â
GD: What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process that made the decision feel right?
AP: I immediately noticed how much of an uplifting, positive team culture there was between
athletes and how impressive the coaching staff is.
Â
GD: What impact do you plan to make in your first year?
AP: I hope to be a supportive and positive addition to the team and encourage those around me.
Â
Quick Facts                                                                               Â
Position in the boat: Port, starboard, scull
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, music, cooking and skiing
Favorite athlete: Missy Franklin was a huge inspiration for me when I was younger and starting my athletic career. I was also a swimmer from ages 5-15.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
Packard joins the Blue Devils from Brookline, Mass., and attended Brookline High School. The incoming freshman competes for the Cambridge Boat Club, where she collected numerous medals in the women's 2x, including gold in the 2022 Head of the Charles and silver in the 2023 Youth National Championship. Packard was recently selected to represent the United States in the women's double sculls at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championship in Paris, France August 2-6. She claimed her spot on the 53-person roster of the U19 National Team after a convincing first-place finish in the double sculls race at the National Team Trials in Sarasota, Fla., in June. Packard and her teammate clocked a time of 7:24.60, finishing more than seven seconds ahead of the second-place boat from Redwood Scullers rowing club.
During the summer, GoDuke.com will be spotlighting each of the 17 newcomers.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Avery Packard: I chose Duke because it has the perfect mix of academic and athletic excellence!
Â
GD: How did you get started in rowing?
AP: I learned to row in 7th grade at Community Rowing (CRI) and was inspired by how much of a positive impact the sport had on both my parents and my older brother.
 Â
GD: What has been your favorite rowing memory?
AP: My favorite rowing memory is from this past fall when my dad, who was volunteering at the
awards tent, gave me my medal at Head of the Charles.
Â
GD: What stuck out to you about the team in your decision-making process that made the decision feel right?
AP: I immediately noticed how much of an uplifting, positive team culture there was between
athletes and how impressive the coaching staff is.
Â
GD: What impact do you plan to make in your first year?
AP: I hope to be a supportive and positive addition to the team and encourage those around me.
Â
Quick Facts                                                                               Â
Position in the boat: Port, starboard, scull
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, music, cooking and skiing
Favorite athlete: Missy Franklin was a huge inspiration for me when I was younger and starting my athletic career. I was also a swimmer from ages 5-15.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils rowing, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeROW".
#GoDuke
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
Welcome to Duke
Saturday, October 19
A Century of Blue Devil Brilliance
Saturday, October 19
BDN Studios Presents: Relentless
Friday, October 11
