CLEMSON, S.C. – Heading into the first season under the Adrienne Martelli administration, the Clemson Rowing program announces the addition of nine new student-athletes: Sophie Cochran, Phoebe Dobson, Hailey Fay, Mackenzie Gannon, Ava Hall, Olivia Knight, Piper Lee and Kennedy Nuar and Alexa Plarinos.
The 2025 Clemson Rowing class includes eight rowers and two coxswains hailing from Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Texas and Washington, as well as New Zealand.
“We’re so excited about our incoming class” said Martelli, “I think one of the things that we really love about the individuals is that they’re great rowers, they’re great people, but they’re really excited about Clemson, where the program is going and what they can contribute to it! It’s a great group: they’re dedicated, they’re excited and we’re super pumped to have them on campus next fall!”
Rower – Westport, Conn. – Staples High School
A rower from Westport, Connecticut, Sophie Cochran has joined the Clemson Rowing program. The rower has is in her third season with the Saugatuck Rowing Club where she won gold at Head of the Riverfront, Head of the Housatonic and Head of Schuylkill, all with Novice 8+. This fall, the Connecticut-native raced with the Varsity 8+, finishing in 2nd place at the Head of the Charles in the Youth 8+, the best finish in the program’s history. Cochran additionally has experience in volleyball, including winning MVP of her team in her freshman year. She has earned First Honors for the past three years in high school while also winning a science award for perseverance.
Cochran plans on pursuing a communications degree while at Clemson.
“I decided to come to Clemson because of its incredible athletic program and alumni network! As soon as I met the coaches and my future teammates, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the Clemson community! The academic rigor and various majors Clemson offers assured me that I would succeed not only on the water but also in the classroom!”
Rower – Auckland, New Zealand – Westlake Girls High School
An international commit, Phoebe Dobson has joined the Tigers as a part of Martelli’s inaugural class. Dobson has competed on a national level for New Zealand, winning the National Championship for Westlake Girls High School while earning a fourth and fifth place finish in U18 8s and U18 4s, respectively. She has also been selected for the New Zealand U19 development camp twice and the Rowing New Zealand U18 North Crew and New Zealand Interprovincial Regatta each of the past two years.
Dobson has chosen to pursue a degree in sports communications while rowing at Clemson.
“I chose Clemson because of the incredible opportunities the school offers, both academically and athletically! The supportive environment makes me very excited to continue my rowing journey with a squad that is driven and hardworking!”
Rower – Redmond, Wash. – Eastlake High School
A product of Eastlake High School, Hailey Fay has become a member of the Clemson family. On the academic front, Fay has earned a spot in the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars for each of the past three years. The rower has also earned a variety of medals with the Sammamish Rowing Association, and trained with Penn AC during the summer of 2023.
Off the water, Fay enjoys hiking, spending time on the lake and baking.
“I chose Clemson because I wanted to be a part of a highly driven team that cares deeply for one another! I want to be both challenged in my academics and my athletics!”
Rower – Linwood, N.J. – Mainland Regional High School
A rower out of New Jersey, Mackenzie Gannon, is officially a Clemson Tiger. The Mainland Regional High school product has competed in a variety of events as a rower, including a first-place finish at the Garden State Scholastic Championships with the Novice 8+ crew and two gold finishes at the Atlantic County Championship, once with Varsity 8+ and the other with Novice 8+.
Gannon has two sisters, one who attends Rutgers and the other who also rows at Mainland Regional High School.
“I wanted to come to Clemson because I love everything about the University! The coaching staff, rowers, location, size, school spirt, and how much everyone love Clemson was alluring!”
Coxswain – Zionsville, Ind. – Zionsville Community High School
One of the two coxswains of the class, Ava Hall is headed to Clemson from Zionsville, Indiana, where she is a coxswain for the Indianapolis Rowing Club. The coxswain is an out of sport commit but has achieved team captain status for her club volleyball team for multiple years. Scholastically, she is on track for an Honors Diploma from Zionsville Community High School and has been a member of the National Honor Society for the past three years.
Hall hopes to study either psychology or teaching while a student-athlete at Clemson.
“I decided to come to Clemson because I love everything about this university! I love the culture and school pride that you are immediately immersed in when you step into town, I love how welcoming the campus and surrounding areas are, I love the beauty of this institution, I love the academic rigor, and emphasis on athletics! Most of all, I love being part of such an amazing community, one that I know will always support me!”
Rower – Dallas, Texas – Highland Park High School
A rower out of Dallas, Texas, Olivia Knight has joined the Clemson Tigers. The Texan earned a team captain position with Dallas United Crew. Academically the Texan is a member of both the Spanish National Honor Society and a recipient of the Cornerstone Scholar Athlete Award for Highland Park.
Off the water, Knight is passionate about working with kids with special needs and plans to continue to do so.
“I chose Clemson because of the incredible coaching staff they gained, the team environment, the school spirit, and the challenging academics. During my visit, I felt very at home and knew it was the right place for me!”
Rower – Roswell, Ga. – Roswell High School
A rower out of Roswell, Georgia, Piper Lee has officially joined the Clemson Tigers. Lee has rowed for two seasons under the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association where she has experience in both novice and varsity crews, including racing at Youth Nationals. The Georgian is also a letter winner for volleyball at Roswell High School and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll throughout her high school career.
Lee’s brother, Zach, is a heavyweight rower at the United States Naval Academy.
“I chose to go to Clemson because my dad is an alumnus, and I’ve wanted to go my whole life! Ever since I was little, I would tell people I’m going to Clemson!”
Rower – Woodstock, Ga. – River Ridge High School
A rower hailing from Woodstock, Georgia, Kennedy Nuar, has joined the Clemson Rowing program. A four-sport athlete, Nuar has varsity experience with the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association, where she competed at the Head of the Charles, Youth Nationals and with Ready, Set, Row, where she competed in RowFest. The Georgian has 10 years of experience in competitive swimming where she holds her high school’s swimming school record in the 100-yard backstroke. She has also lettered on the varsity basketball team in high school and competed in competitive dance and cheer.
Nuar intends to study International Business during her time at Clemson and is the oldest of four siblings, Kolbe (13), Claire (11), Titus (9), and Pia (6).
“I decided to come to Clemson because it has been my dream college my entire life! I love the positive team and the college atmosphere that the University provides!”
Coxswain – Tampa, Fla. – H.B. Plant School
The other of the two coxswains of the Clemson class, Alexa Plarinos is headed up to Clemson. The Floridian comes to Clemson with vast experience, serving as her Varsity Coxswain from 2022-25 and claiming many accolades, including RowFest and SRAA National Championships titles in 4+ and 8+ boats and has also trained and raced with Ready, Set, Row during the summer of 2024. A dedicated student, Plarinos was inducted into various honor societies during her time in high school, including National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society.
Off the water, Plarinos is involved with helping keep Tampa clean with her local non-profit.
“I chose to come to Clemson because of the team, coaches, and the school. When I went on my visit, the coaches and team were so welcoming to me, and I felt like I was already a part of the team. The school itself is also in a great town with a beautiful campus and great academics!”
For complete coverage of the Clemson Rowing team, follow @ClemsonRowing on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
