Texas Rowing Signs 15 New Athletes on National Signing Day
Head coach Dave O’Neill and the Texas Rowing program, the 2024 NCAA National Champions, have announced the signing of 15 new recruits on National Signing Day. This exceptional class includes a mix of rising stars from across the United States and abroad, representing a diverse group of states and countries such as California, Texas, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Italy.
“We’re excited to welcome this talented group of athletes to Texas,” said O’Neill. “They come from all over the world, bringing a wealth of experience and impressive achievements in the sport. I’m confident they will make a lasting impact on our program for years to come. Special thanks to our recruiting coordinator, Nick Baker, and our entire staff for their hard work in building these relationships.”
The 2025 class includes standout athletes such as Maisy Ballantyne from California, who recently won the Women’s 8+ at the USRowing Youth Nationals, and Annika Bliven, a silver medalist at the 2022 Head of the Charles. Other notable signees include Olivia Branch, a fourth-generation Longhorn from Austin, and Lulu Burney, a member of the 2024 Under-19 Australian Rowing Team. The class also features international talent like Giulia Orefice from Italy, a 10-time National Champion, and Nike Utesch from Germany, who claimed gold at the 2023 Baltic Cup.
This diverse group of future Longhorns is expected to further elevate the Texas Rowing program, continuing its legacy of excellence on the national stage.
