Kansas Rowing Announces Spring Signees

April 30, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas rowing head coach Rob Catloth announced his spring signees Monday afternoon. He signed nine athletes to National Letters of Intent: Martha Belot, Olivia Cowan, Kelsey Dick, Maggie Duncan, Gabrielle Hacker, Brieannon Mingus, Jessica Scheer, Tessa Scott and Brittany Simek, who will attend the University of Kansas next fall and will be eligible to compete for the 2012-13 academic year. With the nine spring signees, the Jayhawks have now signed 12 total student-athletes after signing three during the fall period (Breeona Foster, Casey Kelly and Briana Piña).

Martha Belot
Martha Belot is the daughter of Cindy and Allen Belot. Belot is from Lawrence, Kan., where she currently attends Lawrence Free State High School. She has participated in soccer and track & field during her four years.

She plans to major in journalism at the University of Kansas.

Olivia Cowan
Olivia Cowan is the daughter of Mary and Paul Cowan. Cowan is from Basehor, Kan., and is currently attending Basehor-Linwood High School. She has participated in softball, volleyball and powerlifting throughout her high school career. During her sophomore year she helped her softball team to a state championship, while also being named the Powerlifting State Champion. Cowan was named second team all-league as a center fielder her junior year. Additionally, Cowan has played club softball in which she has earned numerous awards: AFA Nationals MVP in 2004, State Game MVP in 2006 and MVP in 2004 and 2007. In the classroom, Cowan has been a member of the honor roll on four different occasions.

She plans to major in elementary education at the University of Kansas.

Kelsey Dick
Kelsey Dick is the daughter of Bart and Carmen Dick. Dick is from Wichita, Kan., and is currently attending Andover High School. As a member of the basketball team she helped the Trojans to a sub-state title in 2011 and 2012, while being named team captain both years. She was also a member of the volleyball, swim, cross country and track & field teams during her career. In the classroom, Dick was named a Kansas Honor Scholar and Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State. Dick was also a member of the National Honor Society, while being named to the honor roll all four years of high school. She is not the first member of her family to do great things on the field or on the court as her mom, Carmen, played basketball at Iowa State University before playing professionally in Japan. Her father, Bart, played football at Fort Hays State University.

She plans to major in marketing at the University of Kansas.

Maggie Duncan
Maggie Duncan is the daughter of Robert and Susan Duncan. Duncan is from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and Lorne Park Secondary School. She lettered in varsity hockey during her freshman and sophomore year and has also been a member of the honor roll every semester. During her junior year she was a member of the CanAmMex rowing team, while also earning Junior Oarswoman of the Year honors from the Don Rowing Club her senior year.

She is undecided on a major.

Gabrielle Hacker
Gabrielle Hacker is the daughter of Janine and Robert Hacker. Hacker is from Lansing, Kan., and is currently attending Lansing High School. During her high school career, Hacker has been a member of the volleyball, basketball and track & field teams. She earned Kaw Valley League honorable mention in basketball and was selected all-league in volleyball.

She is undecided on a major.

Brieannon Mingus
Brieannon Mingus is the daughter of Roy Dean Mingus and Lori Lynn Seaberg Mingus. Mingus is from Lawrence, Kan., and is currently attending Lawrence Free State High School. While in high school, Mingus was a member of the volleyball and track & field teams. As a Lawrence native, Mingus is no stranger to the university and her mother also attended the University of Kansas.

She plans to major in health care at KU.

Jessica Scheer
Jessica Scheer is the daughter of Joe and Carla Scheer. Scheer is from Colwich, Kan., and is currently attending Andale High School. She is a three-year letterwinner in volleyball and a two-year letterwinner in softball. Off the court, Scheer was a member of the honor roll all four years of high school.

She plans to major in elementary education at the University of Kansas.

Tessa Scott
Tessa Scott is the daughter of Jan Valencia and Craig Scott. Scott is from De Soto, Kan., and is currently attending De Soto High School. She lettered in tennis for three years, while also participating in basketball for two years and powerlifting one year. Scott helped lead her tennis team to a first-place finish at the 2011 Bonner Springs Tournament and earned the Wildcat Award, which goes to the player with the most team spirit. In powerlifting, Scott placed second in the bench press, third in the hang clean and third in total pounds at the state competition during her senior campaign. In the classroom, Scott is a member of the National Honor Society, has earned an academic letter all four years and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) for three years.

She plans to major in linguistics at the University of Kansas.

Brittany Simek
Brittany Simek is the daughter of Randall and Aileen Simek. Simek is from Leavenworth, Kan., and is currently attending Immaculata High School. She has been an outstanding all-around athlete as she’s lettered all four years in volleyball, basketball and track & field, three years in powerlifting and one year in softball. Simek was announced the winner of the 2011 Wendy’s Heisman Award. Her list of accomplishments on the hardwood is unbelievable as she leaves Immaculata as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,162 points. A few of her many awards include: 2012 Leavenworth County Basketball Player of the Year, 2012 Team Captain, 2012 Third Team All-State KBCA, 2012 All-State Honorable Mention and 2012 All League First Team. In powerlifting, she placed third in the state in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Simek also had three state track & field appearances with a sixth-place finish in the high jump in 2011. In addition to her prowess on the field and on the court, she is an excellent student as she received the Physical Fitness Award, Fruedian Award in Psychology and Outstanding Work in Physical Sciences.

She plans to major in film and media studies at the University of Kansas.