SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University Women's Rowing announced the addition of eight signees to the 2024-2025 roster. 

"We are very excited to welcome the first members of our 2024 class to Gonzaga and are eager to get them on campus," head coach Andrew Derrick said. "We have been impressed with all of their accomplishments to date as well as their huge potential to help continue to elevate our program on and off the water. Perhaps most importantly, we are impressed with all eight of them as people who will be great teammates and competitors within our program."

Building on the momentum and impact of a stellar current freshman class, as well as eight-straight WCC championship victories, this class is set to infuse great energy, talent, and character into the Zag Program. 

"We welcome these eight outstanding athletes to Gonzaga and are excited they will soon be training on Silver Lake, the Spokane River, and in the Kennel," Derrick added. "These newest Zags will certainly make an impact for years to come."
 
Kana Barlag | Kailua, Hawai'i | Sacred Hearts Academy
Kana is a rower from Hawai'i as her home rowing club is Ikaika in Honolulu. Kana wants to work in the healthcare industry. Her major will either be Biology/Health Sciences or Nursing. She is an avid outboard paddler and a volleyball player and a well-rounded athlete.
 
Why Gonzaga: The second I stepped onto the campus I realized it was the perfect school for me. The coaches and athletes were all incredibly welcoming and Gonzaga University was a community I wanted to be a part of!

Sydney Bland | Tacoma, Wash. | Bellarmine Preparatory School
Sydney comes from Tacoma, Wash., and is a lacrosse player, a swimmer, and a soccer player. She excels in all sports and is an energetic athlete. She has been erging with her dad to get up to speed but wanted to finish out as a three-sport athlete for her high school.

Why Gonzaga: I chose Gonzaga because I felt an overwhelming sense of community while on campus. All of the girls on the team were so welcoming and I am so excited to be a part of the Gonzaga family!!
 
Lia Brackney | Davis, Calif. | Davis Senior High
Lia is a senior from Davis, Calif, who rows for River City Rowing in the Sacramento area. Lia intends to major in Business or Biology/Genetics.
 
Why Gonzaga: Good vibes!

Avery Day | Paoli, Penn. | Conestoga High School
Avery is a rower from Conestoga Crew on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Her time at Conestoga Crew prepared her for the experience of being a Division I rower at Gonzaga. She loves the outdoors and adventure. She competes in triathlons, backpacks, and, sculls primarily. Avery plans to major in Neuroscience/Psychology and later study special education.
 
Why Gonzaga: It's me! I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I can't wait to be a Zag!

Josie Marti | Bellevue, Wash. | Eastside Catholic High
Josie is a rower from Seattle who trains at Pocock Rowing Center. She plans in majoring in Biology at GU with a path toward being a veterinarian. She started rowing the summer going into 7th grade. Before rowing she played basketball and softball.
Her previous coach stated: She has been a great member of our team and shows a lot of promise post-high school. She is a strong athlete with great focus and is very coachable. I was particularly impressed with how attentive and dedicated she was to the process of change and improvement.

Why Gonzaga: I chose Gonzaga because I felt a sense of community and family immediately upon meeting the team and coaches. Shout out to my support system, my success in this journey is all thanks to my family, friends, teachers, coaches, and teammates - thank you for your support and guidance!

Julia Palmer | Seattle, Wash. | Ballard High
Julia rows at Green Lake in Seattle. She is interested in studying chemistry or women and gender studies at Gonzaga. Julia found rowing the summer before 8th grade and was hooked. She continues her rowing career as a Zag. Her brother Jacob goes to Gonzaga as part of the class of '26.

Why Gonzaga: I chose Gonzaga because it seemed like a home and a place I could really grow into myself through athletics and academics.

Isabella Romain | Windermere, Fla. | Windermere High School
Isabella is a rower from Orlando Area Rowing Society. She lives in Windermere, Florida and attends Windermere High. She was recently voted team captain. She is interested in studying Biology with aspirations at Gonzaga to become a Veterinarian.
 
Why Gonzaga: I chose Gonzaga because of the beautiful campus, welcoming atmosphere, and the competitive environment.

Katherine Ward | Pasadena, Calif. | Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Katherine plans to be a Political Science major at GU. She's from Pasadena, California but travels daily to row out of Marina del Rey for Marina Aquatic Center.
 
Why Gonzaga: I chose Gonzaga because of the sense of community on campus.